1 week ago
Kerala High Court Grants Bail to Ex-BJP Leader
K Padmarajan was convicted in a case involving the alleged sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl.
The case began in Kerala in January 2020.
He was given a sentence lasting for the rest of his life, along with other prison terms and a fine.
Padmarajan said the accusations were fabricated.
The investigation was changed five times and caused controversy.
A bloodstain found in a school toilet was cited as important evidence.
Padmarajan appealed his conviction in the Kerala High Court.
The court has temporarily stopped his sentence and released him on bail, but the challenge to his conviction is still continuing.
The Kerala High Court suspended K Padmarajan’s life sentence and granted him bail.
Padmarajan was convicted in the alleged sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl in Kerala.
He had received a natural-life sentence, a Rs 1 lakh fine, and two 20-year POCSO sentences.
The investigation changed hands five times and became controversial after an initial probe questioned the POCSO charges.
Padmarajan must provide a Rs 1 lakh bond with two sureties and avoid the survivor’s revenue district.
- Who
- K Padmarajan, a former Bharatiya Janata Party local panchayat president, and a nine-year-old girl who was identified as the survivor.
- What
- The Kerala High Court suspended Padmarajan’s sentence and granted him bail while his conviction challenge continues.
- Where
- The case was investigated by Panur Police in Kerala, and the survivor lives in a revenue district Padmarajan must avoid.
- When
- The case began in January 2020; the High Court’s decision came six years after the alleged assault.
- Why
- The court said Padmarajan’s arguments seeking suspension of his sentence required serious consideration.
Case Supporting Conviction
Padmarajan’s Defense
Evidence and charges
Case Supporting Conviction
Investigators cited a bloodstain recovered from a school toilet as crucial evidence, and Padmarajan was convicted under POCSO provisions.
Padmarajan’s Defense
Padmarajan maintained that the allegations were fabricated and challenged his conviction before the High Court.
Investigation
Case Supporting Conviction
The Kerala government constituted a special investigation team after an earlier investigation concluded that POCSO charges would not stand.
Padmarajan’s Defense
The defense has relied on arguments that the High Court said required serious consideration, leading to suspension of the sentence and bail.
Key facts
- Accused
- K Padmarajan
- Case
- Alleged sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl
- Initial complaint
- January 2020
- Earlier sentence
- Imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life, a Rs 1 lakh fine, and two 20-year POCSO terms
- Bail conditions
- A Rs 1 lakh bond with two sureties
- Restriction
- Padmarajan cannot enter the revenue district where the survivor lives
- Investigation
- The investigation changed hands five times
Sources
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