Mayookha Johny's Friend's Rape Case: Crime Branch Files Report On Probe

Mayookha Johny friend: Crime Branch reported to the Kerala High Court about the investigation that took place so far in the rape case concerning the friend of Olympian Mayookha Johny.

The lawyer claimed the accused man Chungath Johnson had taken nude images of the survivor to blackmail her after the rape. More on the rape case here. 

The bail of the accused man was adjourned to August 2 after the prosecutor was not available post-lunch for arguments. This became the third time that the bail plea, originally filed in May, was adjourned. From July 27, it was adjourned to July 28 and then to July 30, Friday.

According to reports, Johny's friend's lawyer brought to the court's notice that the accused Chungath Johnson's lawyers were repeatedly trying to seek adjournment on each date, citing non-availability of the senior counsel and contended that this should not be allowed to continue. The advocate further added that Johnson was not afraid of the police, but of a court order.

The rape case came to light after the legendary track and field athlete alleged at a press conference earlier this year on her friend being raped in 2016. In pursuit of justice in the case, Johny has claimed inaction on the part of the state women's commission and investigating officers. Johny and nine others have meanwhile were booked on charges of criminal conspiracy, after an ex-church member was named in the case.

Mayookha Johny Friend's Rape Case: Here's What Police Is Saying

Johny's friend's advocate also added that the police has claimed a lack of scientific evidence as the case was five years old and cited the reason to be a lack of effort on their part back then. The steps like seizing the accused's phones etc happened this year after the case gained media attention.

The Police added that the case had been handed to Crime Branch following the order of the State Police Chief. They also shared that the Crime Branch took over the case on July 8 and recorded the statement of Johny's friend and her mother, who was also the doctor who examined the survivor after the alleged rape.

Mayookha Johny had mentioned the alleged rape case in her press conference in June, this year. She had also mentioned the alleged inactivity of the Kerala Police. Johny had also accused the previous Chief of the Kerala Women's Commission MC Josephine of allegedly sidelining the case. She said that Kerala police had promised to take action in the case but later stepped back after certain influential people got involved.