High Court extends interim protection from arrest of Rahul Mamkootathil in rape case

KOCHI: A breather for Rahul Mamkootathil MLA in the rape case. The Kerala High Court has extended interim protection from his arrest in the first rape case till January 7. Rahul approached the high court after the Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court rejected his bail plea in the case. The court had extended the interim order restraining the arrest of Rahul till today. When the bench said the anticipatory bail plea will be considered later, Rahul’s lawyer said that the stay on his arrest is only for today and demanded to extend it. Following that, the stay on his arrest was extended till January 7, when the case will be considered.

Rahul claimed that he had a consensual relationship with the complainant and political rivalry is behind it. However, the prosecution is of the opinion that Rahul sexually assaulted and forced abortion and there is sufficient evidence for this.

The appeal filed by the government against granting anticipatory bail to Rahul in the case of molestation of a Malayali woman in Bengaluru has been postponed for consideration after the Christmas holidays. Justice Viju Abraham's action allowed time for Rahul to submit his reply. The first case was registered against Rahul following a complaint received by the chief minister. The second case is on the complaint received by the KPCC president.

Rahul was initially suspended by the Congress after the rape allegations surfaced. After the woman lodged a complaint, he was expelled from the primary membership of the party.