Kozhikode: The domestic violence case in Pantheerankavu, Kozhikode, was marked by intense drama and numerous twists. After a series of developments, the complainant and her husband, who was the accused, reached a settlement, leading to the High Court quashing the case. However, one-and-a-half months later, the same woman has now once again filed similar allegations against her husband.

In her latest complaint, the woman accused her husband, Rahul P Gopal, of assaulting her for trivial reasons, such as claiming that the fish curry lacked tanginess. She also alleged that he harassed her for calling her mother on the phone. Based on her complaint, the police have filed charges against Rahul under Sections including attempted murder and domestic violence. Rahul is currently in police custody.

Timeline of events:

The beginning of the case
The case dates back to May 12, 2024, when the woman, a native of Paravoor, alleged that her husband Rahul P Gopal brutally assaulted her at their marital home in Pantheerankavu. The allegations surfaced during a customary “kitchen viewing” ceremony, a week after their wedding, when her relatives noticed injuries on her body.

Wedding and initial allegations
Rahul (29), a resident of Pantheerankavu, and the woman, a native of Paravoor, got married on May 5, 2024, at the Guruvayur temple. During the kitchen viewing ceremony at Rahul’s home, the woman’s relatives noticed marks of physical assault on her body. She was taken to the police station, where she filed a complaint alleging that Rahul had assaulted her under the influence of alcohol and even attempted to strangle her with a mobile charger cable. She also accused him of demanding additional dowry, including money and a car.

Rahul’s denial and escape
Rahul’s family denied all allegations, claiming he was employed in Germany with a high salary and had no need for dowry. However, following the complaint, Rahul fled the country after initial police inquiries. It was later discovered that he escaped to Singapore via Bengaluru. The police arrested a friend who had assisted Rahul in escaping, and a civil police officer was suspended for aiding him.

In his response from abroad, Rahul refuted the dowry allegations and admitted to hitting his wife, stating that it was a reaction to seeing certain messages and calls on her phone. He also claimed that the dispute worsened after the kitchen viewing ceremony.

Dramatic turn in June 2024
On June 10, 2024, the case took a major turn when the complainant changed her statement. In a YouTube video, she admitted that her initial allegations were false and that she had been pressured by her family and relatives to file the complaint. She confessed that Rahul had hit her twice. However, she attributed it to misunderstandings and stated that some of the injuries were caused by a fall in the bathroom. She also expressed a desire to reconcile with Rahul.

Following this revelation, the woman alleged threats from her family and later disappeared, prompting her relatives to file a missing person complaint. However, she soon clarified that she had not been abducted and reappeared voluntarily.

Meanwhile, Rahul, who had returned to India, filed a petition to quash the case in the High Court. The court ordered counselling sessions for the couple. Eventually, the woman withdrew her complaint, leading the High Court to quash the case on October 25, 2024. Rahul and his wife resumed living together.

New allegations in November, 2024
Exactly one month after the case was closed, the woman has now filed fresh allegations against Rahul. She accused him of assaulting her for trivial reasons and filed a complaint with the police. Rahul was arrested, and charges including attempted murder and domestic violence have been registered against him.

The case continues to unfold with fresh developments, keeping it at the centre of public attention.