Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Former Government Pleader In Sexual Assault Case

The Kerala High Court on Friday granted bail to PG Manu, a former senior government pleader who practiced before the High Court and who was arrested on allegations of subjecting a client to rape.

However, Justice Sophy Thomas pointed to the seriousness of the offence alleged and observed,

"The fact that the petitioner was a senior government pleader of this Court and that he sexually exploited a hapless lady who approached him to settle a case which was registered at her instance is a serious thing to be taken note of. The petitioner who was in a position to dominate the will of the victim sexually exploited her and committed rape and sent obscene videos to her continuously.”

As per prosecution, the former govt pleader outraged the modesty of the complainant, who was a victim in another sexual assault case, when she approached him, for assistance to settle that case. It is alleged that he established an 'unholy relationship' under the guise of taking instructions and raped the victim at her house and his office.

The petitioner had resigned from his post as a senior government pleader following the registration of the FIR by the victim. His anticipatory bail application before the High Court and the Supreme Court was rejected earlier.

The Court granted bail after noting that the investigation has been completed and the final report has been filed. It has ordered the former govt pleader to execute a bond for ₹2 lakhs and report before the investigating officer on the first Saturday of every month, till the material witnesses in the sessions case are examined. He has also been asked to surrender his passport.

The plea was moved through Advocates C.P. Udayabhanu, P Vijaya Bhanu, Navaneeth N. Nath, Rassal Janardhanan A., Abhishek M. Kunnathu, Boban Palat, P.U. Pratheesh Kumar, P.R. Ajay, K.U. Swapnil, Nikita Mendez and Sruthy Bhat.

Case Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Ker) 198

Case Name: PG Manu v. State of Kerala

Case Number: Bail Appl No. 10796/2023

Click here to read/download the order