Sexual abuse case: HC dismisses anticipatory bail plea of IT agency proprietor

The Kerala High Court on Thursday dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by Venu Gopalakrishnan, an IT entrepreneur, in a sexual abuse case, whereas granting anticipatory bail to 3 of his staff who have been co-accused within the case.

The case had been registered in opposition to him on a criticism by a former lady worker of his agency, who had earlier been arrested in an alleged honey-trap case filed by Mr. Gopalakrishnan.

Dismissing his bail plea, a Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas noticed that the offences alleged in opposition to him, together with rape, have been extraordinarily severe and have been supported prima facie by supplies accessible. Given his alleged affect, there was each probability of his tampering with proof or influencing witnesses. When the proprietor of an institution itself is alleged to have dedicated such severe offences, defending him with anticipatory bail will render the investigation ineffective, the courtroom stated.

Meanwhile, the courtroom granted anticipatory bail to the opposite accused — Jacob P. Thampy, Eby Paul, and Bimalraj Haridas. They have been staff of the agency and have been accused of threatening the lady worker. No allegations of sexual abuse have been raised in opposition to them, and the allegations in opposition to them have been confined to threats, the courtroom stated and directed them to seem earlier than the investigating officer on September 18 for interrogation.