Palakkad: Municipal councillor Prashobh Vatsalan, accused in a sexual assault case, surrendered before the Palakkad Town police on Wednesday after the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
Background of the Case
The police had intensified efforts to trace Prashobh after the high court dismissed his anticipatory bail application. Earlier, the SC/ST special court in Mannarkkad had also rejected his bail plea, following which he approached the high court seeking legal relief.
Allegations by the Survivor
According to the complaint filed by the survivor, a Dalit woman, Prashobh allegedly befriended her by offering a job opportunity. He later trespassed into her residence and sexually assaulted her. The complaint was submitted to the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, after which the police registered a case on the directions of the district police chief.
Political Background
Prashobh, who was a member of the Congress party, represents ward 24 in the Palakkad municipality. He was expelled from the party after the police registered a case against him. The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting issues of sexual violence and political accountability.
