Kochi, August 1 (IANS): Beleaguered former Kerala minister Jose Thettayil Thursday got a reprieve when the Kerala High Court quashed the first information report filed by the police in the rape case against him.

Thettayil had approached the court last month demanding quashing of the case filed by a 30-year-old woman who alleged the minister and his son Adarsh had repeatedly exploited her last year.

The woman claimed to have video proof of her claim.

The complainant said Thettayil had promised her that he would get his son married to her, but did not keep his word.

The court observed that neither the petition nor the woman's complaint could substantiate that there was rape involved in it and there was no evidence also to prove it.

The court also pointed out that the woman could have reacted had the legislator behaved in an improper manner.

When it heard the case last month, the court observed a rape case did not stand against the minister and stayed the case for 10 days.

Speaking to the media after hearing the verdict, Thettayil denied he had promised to get his son married to the woman.

He added he would continue to work and function as a legislator.

The woman said her conscience is very clear and it is the minister who was wrong.

"Let him ask his conscience if what he has done is right. He appears to have got away by misleading the court, but I have decided to approach the apex court seeking justice, she said.

Thettayil is a legislator of the opposition Janata Dal-S.

In his petition, Thettayil denied rape allegations and said that a case must be made against the woman for circulating the visuals.

Thettayil who represents the Angamaly constituency in Ernakulam district stayed away from public glare since June 23, the day the visuals were telecast.