Former two-time Congress MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly from Perumbavoor received legal relief as the Neyyattinkara court acquitted him in a rape case that had stirred Kerala politics. The Congress leadership had denied him an election ticket due to the pending case, but he later supported the party’s candidate who won. With the acquittal, Eldhose’s political future looks brighter.
The acquittal came after four witnesses, including the complainant, changed their statements during the trial, leading to Eldhose’s exoneration. The case, which involved serious charges like rape and attempt to murder, had caused significant political turmoil and embarrassment for the Congress.
Political observers note that had the verdict arrived earlier, Eldhose could have contested in the Assembly elections. The case took a surprising turn when the complainant retracted her previous statement, stating that Eldhose did not assault her. Now cleared of all charges, Eldhose can focus on his political comeback and potential role within the Congress party.
The case, which had attracted attention since 2022, involved allegations against Eldhose and two of his friends. The Congress high command had refrained from nominating him for the polls despite his efforts. However, with the legal cloud lifted, discussions about Eldhose’s return to politics are expected within the party.
