Palakkad, 30 March (H.S.) A Congress councillor from the Palakkad municipality, Prashobh C. Valsan, has gone absconding after a criminal case was registered against him under non-bailable charges following a sexual assault complaint. Police suspect that the accused may have fled Kerala and are intensifying efforts to track him down across neighbouring states.

According to police sources, search operations have been launched in Coimbatore, Pollachi, and Bengaluru, where the councillor is believed to have possible links. Officials have expressed confidence that he will be apprehended soon. Meanwhile, Prashobh has reportedly initiated legal steps to secure anticipatory bail.

The case stems from a complaint filed by a 22-year-old woman, who alleged that the accused befriended her under the pretext of offering a job and later sexually assaulted her. She further claimed that she became pregnant as a result of the assault and that the accused subsequently provided her with pills to terminate the pregnancy.

In her complaint, submitted to the Chief Minister, the survivor also accused Prashobh of threatening her. Following this, she recorded a detailed statement at the Palakkad Town South Police Station, where she reportedly named prominent Congress leaders, including MPs Shafi Parambil and V.K. Sreekandan, alleging that the accused invoked their names to intimidate her.

Police sources indicate that the complainant has submitted certain pieces of evidence related to the allegations, which are currently under examination. The case has triggered political controversy in the midst of the election season.

Amid mounting pressure and public outrage, the Congress party has expelled Prashobh from its ranks. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as police continue their search for the accused.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman