Pantheerankavu Domestic Violence: Kerala High Court quashes case against husband

The Kerala High Court today quashed the criminal case filed against Rahul P Gopal, the prime accused in the Pantheerankavu domestic violence case, after he and his wife told the Court that they have reconciled [Rahul P. Gopal & Ors v State of Kerala & Ors].

Justice A Badharudeen noted that the husband and the wife (on whose complaint the case was earlier lodged) had stated before the Court that the domestic violence case arose from typical domestic incidents and that they had decided to live together after settling their disputes.

In an earlier hearing, the Judge had directed both parties to appear before the Kerala Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) for counselling.

After reviewing the counselling report and the statements from both parties, the Judge today allowed Gopal’s petition to quash the proceedings against him and his family.

The domestic violence case had been initiated based on a complaint by Gopal's wife, who had earlier accused him of physically abusing her and attempting to strangle her with a cable wire.

However, she later retracted her statements.

In a video, she denied the dowry allegations raised in the case, stating that the issue stemmed from a minor misunderstanding. She added that she had exaggerated her claims due to pressure from her lawyer and family.

She also released a second video asserting that no one had coerced her into changing her story.

Meanwhile, Gopal and his family approached the Kerala High Court to quash the case against them.

Gopal submitted that the accusations against him and his family were unfounded, stemming merely from a minor marital disagreement.

He emphasised that the complaint was based on a misunderstanding and that any further police action would only disrupt their reconciled marital life.

In view of these developments, the Court has now quashed the case against Gopal and his family.

Rahul P Gopal was represented by advocates Manas P Hameed, Ipsita Ojal, Vimal Vijay and Muhammed Shameem Paksan.