The Kerala High Court today rejected a bail plea by former IG of Police K Lakshmana, who was awarded life term in the Naxal Varghese murder case. A Division Bench comprising Justice Pius C Kuriakose and Justice P S Gopinathan also rejected his appeal seeking a stay on the punishment . A CBI Special Court in Kochi had sentenced Lakshmana to life Imprisonment in connection with the killing of Varghese, a naxalite, who was shot dead in police custody 40 years ago. The killing took place at Thirunelli forests in Wynad district. The constable who carried out the murder later confessed that Varghese was shot dead at the behest of Lakshmana.