Government must explain handling of Palathayi case bail, says K.K. Ragesh
CPI(M) leader K.K. Ragesh has criticized the prosecution's handling of the Palathayi POCSO case following the granting of bail to convicted former BJP leader K. Padmarajan. Ragesh alleges that the prosecution failed to adequately oppose the bail plea after a change in state government.
Why it matters
This highlights concerns regarding political influence on the judicial process and the protection of victims in high-profile sexual assault cases.
CPI(M) Kannur district secretary K. K. Ragesh has alleged that the prosecution handled the Palathayi Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case with undue laxity after the change of government and demanded an investigation into the circumstances that led to the suspension of the life sentence and grant of bail to convicted former BJP leader and teacher K. Padmarajan.
The Kerala High Court on August 20 suspended Padmarajan’s life sentence and granted him conditional bail pending his appeal. The Fast-Track Special Court, Thalassery, had convicted him in November 2025 of sexually assaulting a ten-year-old Class 4 student on three occasions in January-February 2020. It sentenced him to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life under Section 376 AB of the IPC, besides 20 years rigorous imprisonment each under two POCSO provisions.
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