Kerala HC Called Rape 'One Of The Most Heinous Atrocities'

While announcing its statement in the Olympian Mayookha Johny's friend's sexual assault case, the Kerala High court called rape 'one of the most heinous atrocities committed on a woman in our society'. It further said in its statement that the social stigma around rape often suppresses the survivors from speaking up.

The court said in its statement, "When a woman is ravished, a deep sense of deathless shame is caused to her more than the physical injuries. No doubt rape is one of the most heinous atrocities committed on a woman in our society. Sometimes she could not reveal her ordeal to anyone." the court also added that the fear of tarnishing the name of their family makes women stay mum about sexual abuse.

The rape case was brought to light by Olympian Mayookha Johny in one of her press conferences. The incident had taken place in 2016. Johny's friend had accused CC Johnson who is the former Pastor and a trustee of Emperor Emmanuel Church, Mooriyadu, Thrissur. He is accused of sexual assault and blackmailing the survivor with her nude photos. The Kerala High Court judge Justice Shircy V dismissed his plea for bail.

Further talking about the case, the court stated, "...of course, the alleged incident was on July 9, 2016. She preferred the complaint almost after four years. Law is well settled that delay in lodging the FIR in a rape case is not of much significance."

Chungath Johnson's lawyers had reportedly tried to delay the proceedings by stating the unavailability of senior counsel. His plea was adjourned three times before getting dismissed. His lawyers claimed a lack of scientific evidence in the case as the crime had taken place five years ago.

The police have also admitted that they had lacked in finding evidence back then regarding the case. they mentioned that they only seized the accused’s phones etc happened this year after the case gained media attention.