Kochi: Prasobh M, a former Congress councillor of Palakkad municipality, has approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a sexual assault case. His pre-arrest bail plea was earlier dismissed by the special court for SC/ST cases in Mannarkkad.
Court Proceedings
Justice Jobin Sebastian issued notice to the complainant on the petition and adjourned the matter to May 5. The prosecution alleges that Prasobh, despite being a married man, engaged in a sexual relationship with the survivor on multiple occasions by promising to secure employment for her. When she became pregnant and the relationship became public, he allegedly intimidated and abused her.
Case Background
The Palakkad town south police registered a case against the petitioner based on a complaint filed by the survivor under various provisions of the BNSS and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Earlier Bail Rejection
The petitioner had approached the special court in Mannarkkad seeking pre-arrest bail, but the plea was rejected on April 17, prompting him to move the High Court.
Petitioner's Claim
In his petition, Prasobh claimed that the relationship was consensual and had continued for more than one-and-a-half years. He contended that the complaint was lodged only after the relationship became public, and not because of any failure on his part to secure employment for the survivor, thereby casting doubt on the prosecution case.
The court will hear the matter further on the next date of hearing.
