Serious Allegations Against Congress Leaders Emerge in Palakkad Sexual Assault Case

Palakkad: Grave new revelations have surfaced against senior Congress leaders in connection with the sexual assault complaint filed against Palakkad Municipal Councillor Prashobh C Vatsan. The survivor, in her statement to the police, alleged that Prashobh had threatened her by invoking the names of MPs V K Sreekantan and Shafi Parambil, and had even made a video call to Shafi Parambil and shown him to her. Speaking to the media after recording her statement, the survivor said she had handed over all available evidence to the police, including video material.

In a deeply distressing disclosure, the survivor said, "I have neither a father nor a mother. Even if something happens to me, there is no one who will come forward to question it." She added that she continues to live in fear, and that Prashobh switched off his phone immediately after the complaint was filed.

The survivor arrived at the Palakkad South Police Station around 11 a m on Saturday and recorded her statement. The police have registered a non-bailable case against Prashobh and launched a search for the accused, who is currently in hiding. The case has been registered under sections pertaining to rape and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Prashobh serves as the councillor for Ward No. 24 of the Palakkad Municipality. According to the complaint, he befriended the survivor after she came to Palakkad to pursue a beautician course, and subsequently sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions under the false promise of employment. When she informed him of her pregnancy, he allegedly coerced her into taking abortion medication. The complaint also states that he repeatedly claimed to share close ties with the MLA rahul Mamkootathil and MP Shafi Parambil, and showed her photographs of himself alongside both politicians.

Prashobh is a close associate of Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who himself faces sexual assault allegations. Notably, Mamkootathil — who had gone into hiding for 15 days following the complaint against him — resurfaced publicly during the last local body elections to vote for Prashobh. It was also Prashobh who organised a grand reception for Mamkootathil when the MLA was released from jail and returned to Palakkad.