Kozhikode: Rahul P Gopal, the accused in the Pantheerankavu domestic violence case, told Mathrubhumi.com that he did not ask for dowry from the woman's family and had disclosed that he had previously registered his marriage with another woman. He explained that he hit the woman due to irritation from calls and messages on her phone.

According to Rahul, the couple had resolved their issues after the fight and decided to move on. However, the situation worsened when the woman’s family arrived for a ceremony at their house. Rahul denied strangling her with a mobile phone charging cable and claimed the scar on her forehead resulted from slipping in the bathroom.

Rahul objected to calls from the woman’s friends, and the fight escalated when this continued. He asserted that checking the information on the two SIM cards, including phone and WhatsApp chats, would clarify the situation. He maintained that all allegations submitted at the Pantheerankavu police station were false and that there were no claims of dowry in the complaint filed by the woman's family. He suggested the dowry allegation was fabricated to strengthen the case against him.

Rahul claimed the woman’s relatives threatened revenge for beating her, making it impossible for him to stay in the country, leading to his decision to leave. He asked the police to make the woman undergo a lie detector test. He also said that he covered 75 percent of the wedding expenses and asked why he would ask for a dowry.

He said that he is currently in Singapore. Rahul insisted that the woman's phone be checked and stated his intention to proceed with legal action.