Kerala HC grants MLA Rahul Mamkootathil interim protection from arrest in rape case

The Kerala High Court on Saturday granted Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil interim protection from arrest in a rape case registered against him, PTI reported.

Justice K Babu issued the order on an anticipatory bail petition filed by him in the case, Bar and Bench reported. The judge said that the court would hear Mamkootathil's petition on December 15 next, adding that he should not be arrested till then.

On Thursday, a sessions court in Thiruvananthapuram refused to grant anticipatory bail to the MLA in the case, after which he had moved the High Court.

In light of the development, the Congress in Kerala expelled Mamkootathil on Thursday.

The MLA was booked on November 28 after a woman accused him of rape, obtaining sexual consent through deceitful means and coercing her to terminate her pregnancy.

He was also accused of verbal abuse, giving death threats to the complainant and violating the Information Technology Act.

On Tuesday, another woman accused Mamkootathil of sexual abuse that allegedly took place in 2023, reported The Indian Express. She had emailed her complaint to the Congress' state leadership.

The complaint was handed over to the police, leading to the registration of a second first information report against the MLA.

Mamkootathil had sought anticipatory bail after the first case, stating that the allegations against him are false, politically motivated and intended to tarnish his public standing, reported Bar and Bench.

He admitted that he had a physical relationship with the complainant but claimed that it was consensual.

In the first FIR, provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act have also been invoked.

The police are investigating allegations that Mamkootathil procured miscarriage-inducing medicines without a prescription, asked an acquaintance to deliver the pills to the woman, and pressured her to consume them while he allegedly remained on a video call to ensure that she took them.

The acquaintance, Joby Thomas, a businessperson from Pathanamthitta, has been named as the second accused person.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act allows only registered medical practitioners to administer abortion pills after required tests, including an ultrasound.

The Palakkad MLA has allegedly been absconding since the first case was registered against him, PTI reported.

In August, the Congress suspended Mamkootathil from its primary membership following multiple allegations from women of misconduct. Following this, he resigned from his post as the Kerala Youth Congress chief.

On Thursday, Congress' state chief Sunny Joseph stated that the party leadership had been consulted about his expulsion.

“It is better that he quits as a legislator,” the Kerala Congress chief said. “The Congress has never protected him.” He added that Mamkootathil's continuation in the party had become “ethically untenable”.

Source: Scroll
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