‘Sexual assault’: Kerala HC reserves order on councillor’s pre-arrest bail plea

Kochi: High court bench of Justice A Badharudeen on Thursday reserved orders on the anticipatory bail petition filed by Prasobh M, a former Congress councillor of the Palakkad municipality, in a sexual assault case.According to prosecution, Prasobh was in a relationship with the survivor and, despite being married, allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with her on multiple occasions by promising to secure employment for her. It was further alleged that, after she became pregnant and the relationship became public, he intimidated and abused her. Based on a complaint lodged by the survivor, the Palakkad Town South police registered a case against the petitioner.Prasobh had earlier approached the special court for SC/ST cases in Mannarkkad seeking anticipatory bail. However, the petition was dismissed on April 17, following which he moved HC. In his petition before HC, Prasobh contended that the relationship was consensual and had continued for more than one-and-a-half years. He further argued that the complaint was filed only after the relationship became public and not due to any failure on his part to secure employment for the survivor, thereby casting doubt on the prosecution's case.