KOCHI: The High Court has granted an additional 10 days for the accused, former Government Pleader Adv. PG Manu, to surrender before the investigating officer in the case involving the alleged molestation of a young woman seeking legal assistance. The decision comes after the single bench which had previously rejected Manu's anticipatory bail plea on December 22 directed him to surrender within 10 days.

Following questioning by Justice P Gopinath, an order was issued to produce Manu in court on the same day and expedite the consideration of his bail application. Despite the High Court's rejection of the anticipatory bail plea, Manu has approached the Supreme Court which is set to review his petition in the upcoming week.

In a petition submitted to the High Court, Manu alleged that the police were hastily attempting to arrest him. He sought an additional 10-day extension to surrender stating that he was not at home when the police took his brother and two other relatives into custody, threatening them with arrest for supposedly hiding the accused.

Justice P Gopinath has granted the extension for surrender amid these developments. Simultaneously, Manu's brother PG Reji, cousin ND Umesh and Manu's client MJ Kuryan have approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

The complaint lodged against Manu alleges that he raped the woman twice in October 2023. Subsequently, Manu absconded after the Chottanikara police registered a case against him. While Manu claims the case is fabricated by adversaries in his professional sphere, the prosecution contends that evidence suggests Manu forcibly entered the woman's house and committed the assault.