KOCHI: The High Court upheld POCSO court’s verdict granting bail to teacher Padmarajan, accused in the Palathayai child abuse case. The high court rejected the petition filed by the child's mother seeking cancellation of his bail. The high court also issued general directives to protect the privacy of the victims in POCSO cases.

The girl's mother argued that despite the medical report that the girl had been abused, the trial court granting him bail was not right. The crime branch had earlier told the court that clinical psychologists within the Department of Social Justice had found that the child had a habit of lying and presenting stories imaginatively. This stand had stoked a controversy.

Accused Padmarajan informed the court that he had not abused her and the allegation was levelled as he is a BJP supporter.