5th accused in Pathanamthitta rape case seeks bail

Kochi: Nandhu, a native of Ranni and the fifth accused in a case involving the rape and sexual abuse of a Dalit minor girl in Pathanamthitta has filed a pre-arrest bail plea in the high court. The bench of Justice G Gireesh on Friday sought instructions from the state on the petition.
According to the prosecution, the minor victim was taken in a car from the Pathanamthitta private bus stand in Feb 2024 by the first three accused to a rubber estate near Ranni, where accused Nos 4 to 6 allegedly committed gang rape. The victim later disclosed the incident to the child welfare committee (CWC) and the women's cell of the police, leading to the registration of the case.
In his petition, Nandhu claimed that he had been falsely implicated in the case and was abroad at the time of the alleged incident. He stated that he is currently working in the UAE and alleged that the police have initiated steps to deport him to India without a proper inquiry. While he intends to return to contest the allegations, he fears that he may be forcibly deported. tnn