Expelled Palakkad Congress councillor surrenders after HC denies bail in rape case

Two days after being denied anticipatory bail by the High Court, expelled Congress municipal councillor from Palakkad, Prashobh C Valsan, surrendered before the police on Wednesday. Prashob had been booked for allegedly raping a Dalit woman after promising her employment.

According to the complainant, Prashob befriended her on the pretext of offering her a job and later visited her residence, where he allegedly assaulted her. Following the allegations, the Congress expelled Prashob, who represented Ward 24 of the Palakkad Municipality, in March 2026.

On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court refused to grant anticipatory bail to the accused, who had approached the court after a Special SC/ST court earlier rejected his plea. The lower court had observed that a prima facie case had been made out against him. Justice A Badharudeen dismissed Prashob’s appeal.

According to the prosecution, Prashob, though married, maintained a relationship with the complainant, a Dalit woman, for over one-and-a-half years. He allegedly had repeated sexual relations with her on the promise of securing her a job and offering lifelong support. The prosecution also alleged that the woman became pregnant during the relationship and that Prashob later intimidated and abused her after the relationship became public.

However, in his plea, Prashob argued that even if the allegations were accepted at face value, they only pointed to a consensual relationship.

Opposing the plea, the complainant’s counsel submitted that she had first met Prashob after his father, who ran a tea shop, allegedly misbehaved with her. She alleged that Prashob later persuaded her not to file a complaint, remained in constant contact with her, and lured her into a sexual relationship by promising her a good job.