Government must explain handling of Palathayi case bail, says K.K. Ragesh
Alleges the prosecution handled the POCSO case with undue laxity after the change of government
CPI(M) Kannur district secretary K. K. Ragesh has criticized the handling of the Palathayi Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case, which involved former BJP leader K. Padmarajan. He accused the prosecution of being too lenient after the change of government and demanded an investigation into the circumstances that led to the suspension of Padmarajan's life sentence and his subsequent bail.
The Kerala High Court suspended Padmarajan's life sentence and granted him bail pending appeal in August 2025. Padmarajan was convicted in November 2025 for sexually assaulting a ten-year-old student on three occasions in 2020, and sentenced to life imprisonment under IPC Section 376 AB and additional POCSO provisions. The High Court cited inconsistencies in the survivor's evidence, differing medical findings, and proximity of the school toilet to classrooms.
Ragesh alleged that the prosecution should have strongly opposed the bail move but failed to do so adequately. He questioned why the prosecution did not present before the High Court the evidence that led to the trial court's conviction. Ragesh demanded that the State investigate the alleged "collusion" and urged the government to approach the High Court for bail cancellation and sentence reversal.
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