The Kerala High Court, under Justice Sophy Thomas, has granted bail to P G Manu, a former senior government pleader accused of multiple rapes, emphasizing the importance of addressing allegations against authority figures while safeguarding the survivor’s well-being.
The Kerala High Court, on March 22, made headlines by granting bail to Advocate PG Manu, previously a distinguished government pleader, embroiled in allegations of multiple rapes against a client. The bail comes after Manu’s 50-day incarceration following his surrender to the Puthencruz police in Ernakulam after dodging arrest for over two months since his anticipatory bail plea was rejected.
Justice Sophy Thomas, overseeing the bail hearing, remarked on the grave nature of the allegations, pointing out the exploitation of power in the accused’s part.
“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,”
stated the court, highlighting the serious ethical breach and criminal actions alleged.
Despite the severity of the case, the court deemed Manu eligible for bail, citing the completion of the investigation and the submission of the final report. However, stringent conditions were attached to Manu’s bail: a Rs 2 lakh bond, passport surrender, mandatory monthly reporting to the investigating officer, a prohibition from entering the Chottanikkara police station limits, and a strict injunction against contacting the survivor or her family.
The backdrop of these allegations is as disturbing as the accusations themselves. Manu, charged under sections 376, 354, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, allegedly raped the survivor, a client seeking legal help for a 2018 case. The incidents reportedly occurred in October 2023, with the first assault under the guise of case discussion in his office. The survivor faced repeated assaults and was intimidated into silence, with Manu purportedly capturing obscene videos and photos against her will.
The legal community and the public were stirred when the complaint led to Manu’s requested resignation from his position as senior government pleader by the Advocate General of Kerala. His connections and previous status as counsel for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Kerala only added layers to the scandal.
The complaint’s voice, represented by lawyer Padma Lakshmi, portrays a scenario where Manu, after charges were pressed, desperately attempted to negotiate with the survivor’s family, seeking to mitigate the damage to his career and reputation.
“Please don’t destroy my life. I am about to be selected for the judges’ panel. I will fall at your feet,”
Manu is reported to have said in a recorded plea, illustrating the gravity of his fall from grace and his readiness to offer “any compensation” to alleviate the complainant’s suffering.
This case marks a poignant moment in the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability within the legal community, reflecting on the responsibilities held by those in power and the dire consequences when they falter. The Kerala High Court’s decision, while procedural, emphasizes the balance between legal rights and societal moral expectations, especially concerning the treatment and protection of survivors of sexual crimes.
Also Read- Delhi High Court: Delay In Rape Cases Prolongs Victims Suffering (lawchakra.in)
