Palathayi Sexual Assault Case: High Court Grants Padmarajan Bail on Grounds Rejected by Trial Court, Points to UDF-BJP Deal

Kochi: The Kerala High Court granted bail to BJP leader Padmarajan in the Palathayi rape case after suspending his life imprisonment sentence, taking into consideration arguments that had been earlier rejected by the trial court. The same arguments raised by the defence before the Thalassery POCSO Court were repeated in the bail petition filed before the High Court. The prosecution failed miserably to place before the High Court the victim’s statement, which runs into more than 100 pages and was recorded over three consecutive days. The prosecution’s stand has also revealed a political deal between the UDF and the BJP.

Several people convicted of rape and sentenced to death or imprisonment until the end of their lives are currently lodged in Keralam’s prisons. Padmarajan is just one of them, who happens to be a BJP leader. The prosecution and the government are responsible for answering what special interest exists in the BJP leader that is not seen in the bail petitions of other convicted rapists. The trial court awarded Padmarajan imprisonment for the remainder of his life after finding beyond reasonable doubt that he had sexually assaulted a fourth-standard girl.

The trial court verdict was also the result of the prosecution’s ability, during the LDF government’s tenure, to properly present the evidence and witness statements before the court. After the change in government, the prosecution itself took the initiative to secure bail for the accused in the sexual assault case. The alleged collusion became evident from the decision to list the bail petition earlier than scheduled.

The Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami had previously used the Palathayi case as a political weapon during the LDF government’s tenure. With the High Court now granting bail to the accused in the sexual assault case, the UDF has been left in a difficult position.