Verdict in Palathayi Child Sexual Abuse Case Against BJP Leader Padmarajan to Be Delivered on November 14

Thalassery: The Thalassery POCSO Special Court Judge M.T. Jalajarani will deliver the verdict on November 14 in the Palathayi child sexual abuse case, in which BJP leader and teacher K. Padmarajan (49), also known as Pappan Master, is the accused. Padmarajan, who was serving as the President of Thrippangottur Panchayat and a teacher at a school in Kadavathoor has been accused of sexually assaulting a Class 4 student of the same school. The verdict will be pronounced on Children’s Day.

According to prosecution, the accused sexually assaulted the girl three times between January and February 2020.

The trial began on February 23, 2024, and continued till August 13, 2025. The court recorded the victim's statements over five days. The prosecution examined 40 witnesses, including the child’s friend and four teachers, and presented 77 documents and 14 material evidences. Medical records confirming injuries and treatment for bleeding were also produced. The defense examined three witnesses.

The Palathayi case had triggered widespread political outrage. The incident first came to light when Childline received a complaint about the abuse. Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s grandmother, Panur Police registered a case on March 17, 2020. The accused was arrested on April 15, 2020.

Following a request from the child's grandmother, the State Police Chief handed over the investigation to Crime Branch on April 24, 2020. The investigating officer, Detective Inspector Madhusoodanan Nair, filed an interim charge sheet under Sections 75 and 82 of the Juvenile Justice Act.

After the accused was granted bail, the victim’s grandmother approached the High Court again, alleging lapses in the investigation. Consequently, a new investigation team led by Narcotics Cell ASP Reshma Ramesh was appointed. When the prosecution informed the High Court that the probe was moving in the wrong direction, a special team headed by Coastal ADGP E.J. Jayarajan and DYSP Ratnakumar took over the investigation.

The final charge sheet, invoking POCSO Act provisions, was filed in May 2021. P.M. Bhasuri represented the prosecution in court.