Kochi/Kozhikode : The High Court will today hear discharge petition filed by accused in the Pantheeramkavu domestic violence case. The petitioner, Rahul P Gopal informed the court earlier that matters had been settled between him and de-facto complainant and that they were preparing to live together once again. His wife recently came up on social media insisting that Rahul was not guilty in any manner and that she had staged it all under pressure from her family. Soon after, the girl also submitted affidavit to the court seeking to quash her original petition.
In a case that accused him of aggravated assault, murder attempt and rape, Rahul said all differences with his wife had been sorted out and that the couple were now cordial and preparing to live together. He had flown to Germany soon after being charged with domestic violence. There are 5 accused in the case, Rahul is the first followed by his mother as second accused, sister the third, Rahul’s friend Rajesh the fourth and police officer Sarath Lal fifth. The cop was accused of helping Rahul to fly abroad.
Backdrop: Soon after marriage the young woman lodged complaint with police claiming she was brutally assaulted a number of times including once when she was choked with charging cord and harassed constantly for dowry. Rahul fled overseas in midst of investigations leading to suspension of two cops for sloppy watch. The case meanwhile caught wide attention from media and the public. Then, in a twist, the woman’s family reported her missing on 3rd of June.
In a few days time, the girl came up on YouTube. Appearing remorseful, she recanted all allegations against Rahul saying he was never violent towards her nor did he or his family ever ask for dowry at any point. She said the whole story was made up at insistence of her parents who threatened to commit suicide if she did not lodge the complaint and leave him.
The girl said she was always aware of Rahul’s earlier marriage and divorce proceedings and though Rahul had advised to wait until divorce was clear, it was she who pressured for the marriage meanwhile.
