Jomon’s Vindication: False Rape Accusation Overturned After Seven Years

Kottayam, April 12, 2025 – After enduring seven years of unjust stigma, Jomon, a resident of Kurupanthara, Kottayam, has emerged from the shadow of a false rape accusation, reclaiming his dignity with the support of a courageous retraction. The woman who filed the complaint in 2017 has publicly admitted its falsity, offering an apology in court and before Jomon’s villagers at a local church. This pivotal moment marks a new chapter for Jomon.

The case originated in 2017 when a student from Jomon’s paramedical training institute, established in Kurupanthara, alleged that he had raped her on the Mangala Express during a training trip to Maharashtra and subsequently in the college office. The complaint further claimed that Jomon had threatened to throw her off the train and kill her if she disclosed the incident. The accusation led to his arrest on December 2017, when police, including a man in civilian clothes and a Circle Inspector, detained him at 7:30 PM while he dined with his family post-prayer. In full view of his colony, they marched him approximately 1.5 kilometers to the station without initially disclosing the charges. Released at 11:30 PM, Jomon learned of the rape allegation only then. He was summoned back days later, detained from Friday to Sunday in a lockup, with the formal complaint registered on Saturday afternoon and his arrest recorded post-Sunday.

Jomon recounted the coercion he faced, noting threats from the student’s boyfriend, who demanded money to avoid a harassment complaint, a warning Jomon initially dismissed. The situation escalated with a baseless financial dispute from a former business partner, who had few admissions compared to Jomon’s successful institute. The student, under pressure from her abusive boyfriend, was allegedly forced to sign a blank complaint, a fact she later confirmed. Despite police pressure to confess during interrogation, Jomon steadfastly maintained his innocence.

The turning point came years later when the woman, realizing the case persisted despite Jomon’s legal stay, contacted him through friends. She admitted being coerced, revealing her boyfriend’s role and her reluctant signature on the document. Initially uninterested in her apology, Jomon insisted on a court resolution if he were at fault. Ultimately, she testified in court that no rape occurred and that they had not traveled together on the alleged date, leading to the case’s collapse.

This vindication has restored Jomon’s standing, allowing him to walk with pride among those who once labeled him a criminal. The incident underscores the emotional and social burdens of false accusations, with Jomon’s resilience offering a testament to justice prevailing after a protracted struggle.