Kochi: Kerala High Court on Tuesday has stayed the arrest of three of the accused in the case connected with torching P Krishna Pillai Memorial in Alapuzha.

Justice Abraham Mathew has stayed the arrest temporarily of Deepu, Rajesh and Pramod, the third, fourth and fifth accused in the charge sheet submitted by Crime Branch.

The three approached the HC seeking anticipatory bail in the case. Crime Branch report blaming group rivalry in CPM as the reason for the vandalism against the monument is childish, petitioners submitted.

The HC had said that the accused should not be arrested till the disposal of the application for anticipatory bail. Sabu, the second accused in the case had also submitted an anticipatory bail application in the HC.