Kerala High Court Reserves Orders In Former Govt Pleader's Anticipatory Bail Plea In Rape Case

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday reserved for orders 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. is set to pronounce the verdict in the case on Friday (December 22, 2023). 

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 is 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.

"Further, the conduct of the de facto complainant and her agents after registration of the crime makes it evident that their only intention is to tarnish the image and spoil the career of the petitioner, as they are circulating defamatory and derogatory contents against the petitioner through social media," the plea states.

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.

The plea has been moved through Advocates C.P. Udayabhanu, Navaneeth N. Nath, Rassal Janardhanan A., Abhishek M. Kunnathu, Boban Palat, P.U. Pratheesh Kumar, P.R. Ajay, and K.U. Swapnil.

Case Title: P.G. Manu v. State of Kerala

Case Number: Bail Appl. 10796/ 2023