Today, the Supreme Court (SC) of India was hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by PG Manu, a former Government Pleader at the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a rape case. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Hrishikesh Roy dismissed the petition stating that it found no reason to interfere with the Kerala HC order dismissing the anticipatory bail plea of the accused. While dismissing the petition, the SC granted the accused lawyer 10 days from today (January 29, 2024) to surrender before the police.
The petitioner was accused of raping a woman who approached him for legal advice in another sexual assault case in which she was a victim. During the proceedings, Senior Advocate V Giri appearing for the petitioner said that the relationship between the petitioner and woman was consensual. To this, the SC bench strongly disagreed and said, “You were in a position of dominance…we have to consider that”. The SC order reads, “Heard learned counsel. We have pursued the impugned judgment rejecting pre-arrest bail to the petitioner, and find no infirmity with the same. Appeal is, hence, dismissed…The petitioner is given ten days from today (January 29, 2024) to surrender. Matter to proceed as per judgment of the High Court.”