Kerala High Court Dismisses Anticipatory Bail Plea Of Former Senior Government Pleader In Rape Case

The Kerala High Court on Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea moved by former Senior Government Pleader P.G. Manu in the case pertaining to alleged sexual assault of a female client in the guise of providing legal assistance for her.

Justice Gopinath P. however added that if the petitioner were to surrender within 10 days from today, he shall be produced before the Magistrate and that his bail application ought to be considered without undue delay. 

The victim in this case, who was also the victim in an identical case wherein she had been sexually exploited by another individual had allegedly approached the petitioner for settling her case before the Court. The allegation against the petitioner is that he established an 'unholy relationship' under the guise of taking instructions, and raped the victim at her house and his office.

It was also alleged that the petitioner transmitted nude photos of the victim to others.

Manu had resigned from his post as Senior Government Pleader following the rape allegations.

He submitted in his plea that the prosecution allegations were false and that the registration of the case itself was a 'calculated attempt' on the part of some professional rivalries' of the petitioner.

The petitioner argued that the aforementioned persons colluded with the victim and forced her to give false statements against him.

The Court had earlier directed in-camera proceedings to be held for hearing the matter, on being informed that certain facts would have to be disclosed during the hearing which would have to be recorded in camera for the benefit of the victim.