The Kerala High Court dismissed on Tuesday the anticipatory bail application of Palakkad municipal councillor Prashobh V. Valsan in connection with the alleged rape of a Dalit woman.Mr. Valsan had approached the High Court after the Special Court for SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Cases at Mannarkkad denied his anticipatory bail. In his plea, he submitted that the allegation lacks merit and that there have been errors in the investigation, including in the registration of FIR.The prosecution contended that granting anticipatory bail to Mr. Valsan would adversely affect the police investigation. The court noted that there was a prima facie case made out against the accused. In her statement before the trial court, the complainant alleged that Mr. Valsan had raped her at her residence, under the guise of offering assistance for a job, and threatened her, claiming close links with senior Congress leaders. The Palakkad District Congress Committee had expelled Mr. Valsan in March, after the complaint surfaced and this led to major political controversies. Published - May 26, 2026 07:13 pm IST