The special SC/ST court had already denied Prasobh anticipatory bail after a police complaint was filed.
Kochi—The Kerala High Court on Tuesday denied anticipatory bail to suspended Palakkad Congress city councilor Prasobh M in the alleged rape case of a Dalit woman. Justice A. Badruddin dismissed Prasobh’s appeal and upheld the lower court’s decision.
Prasobh is accused of sexually exploiting a Dalit woman by promising her a job. A case was registered against him at the Palakkad Town South police station under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, on charges of rape and intimidation.
According to the prosecution, Prasobh, despite being married, maintained a relationship with the victim for over a year and a half. He repeatedly had physical relations with her, promising her a job and lifelong support. When the relationship became public, the accused threatened the woman and used caste-based slurs. She was even threatened when she became pregnant.
The victim told the court that she met Prasobh when his father, who owned a tea stall, abused her. Prasobh persuaded her not to file a complaint and then remained in constant contact with her. He lured the woman into a sexual relationship with the promise of a good job.
After a police complaint was filed, the Special SC/ST Court denied Prasobh anticipatory bail in April. The trial court stated that a prima facie case was made out against the suspended councilor. Following this, Prasobh approached the High Court.
Senior advocate Sasimangalam S. Ajit Kumar and other lawyers represented Prasobh in the High Court. They argued that even if the allegations were considered true, the relationship was consensual. He also argued that the elements of the crime under the SC/ST Act were not met, and that the prohibition on anticipatory bail under this law did not apply. However, Justice Badruddin rejected these arguments, stating that the trial court’s decision was correct. The High Court clarified that the case primarily lay under the SC/ST Act. Therefore, the suspended councilor was denied relief.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Courtesy: Hindi News