Former Horticorp MD K Sivaprasad accused of raping domestic help in Kochi surrender

Kochi: Former Horticorp director K Sivaprasad, accused of sexually assaulting a housekeeper in Vyttila, surrendered to police on Saturday. The District and Sessions Court in Ernakulam had rejected his anticipatory bail plea the previous day. After his surrender, Sivaprasad was hospitalized due to health problems.

The case concerns a 23-year-old tribal woman from Odisha who had recently started working as a domestic help at Sivaprasad’s residence on Silver Sand Island, Vyttila. Sivaprasad, 75, is a former senior official of several public sector organizations. The alleged attack took place on October 15, but by the time an FIR was filed on October 17, the suspect had gone into hiding.

In her initial statement, the woman alleged that on October 15, while Sivaprasad’s wife was away, he spiked her juice with an intoxicant and raped her. She told police she was unconscious and didn’t know what happened next. Initially, the FIR was registered on charges of outraging the modesty of a woman and using criminal force. However, based on the medical examination findings and the doctor’s testimony, the assault was confirmed, leading police to add rape charges.

Sivaprasad, who previously held prominent positions including Managing Director of the State Farming Corporation of Kerala, Horticultural Products Development Corporation, Kerala State Film Development Corporation and Plantation Corporation of Kerala Ltd., is facing serious charges under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The incident came to light when the woman confided in a relative, a local housekeeper. This family member informed her employer, who then informed the Center for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID).