Pantheeramkavu domestic abuse case: First accused Rahul returns to India

KOZHIKODE: Pantheeramkavu native Rahul P Gopal, the first accused in the Pantheeramkavu domestic abuse case, has returned to India. Rahul, who arrived at the Delhi airport on Monday morning, was stopped by security personnel and handed over to the Delhi police as he had a lookout notice against him.

He was later released as per the instructions of the Kerala Police. Rahul, who was hiding in Germany, returned to India after he was ordered to appear in court on August 14. Feroke police, who are investigating the case, said that Rahul will not be arrested because of a High Court ruling. The police also said that legal proceedings would continue as per the court order.

There are five accused in the Pantheeramkavu domestic abuse case. Rahul's mother and sister are the second and third accused respectively. Rahul's friend Rajesh is the fourth accused and civil police officer Sarath Lal is the fifth accused. Rahul fled the country soon after the police registered the case on the basis of his wife's complaint.

Last month, the Pantheeramkavu police had filed a charge sheet in the case. Meanwhile, Rahul approached the High Court demanding that the case be quashed. In his petition, Rahul stated that all the issues with his wife had been resolved and that all misunderstandings had been sorted out. Rahul's wife, the complainant, also gave an affidavit in the court in this regard.