No more a party member; behind bars if arrested; Rahul Mamkoottathil rumoured to be in custody, aides arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The political future of Rahul Mamkoottathil MLA is hanging in the balance as the court has rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a sexual assault case. Congress expelled him from the primary membership soon after the court action. Rahul is likely to approach the High Court today itself. Although the party has made it clear that he should resign as an MLA, it is Rahul who should take the decision. He was sworn in as Palakkad MLA on December 4, 2024. The expulsion and denial of bail came exactly one year after the incident.

There were rumours yesterday evening that Rahul, who had gone into hiding 9 days ago, was taken into custody from Sullia in Karnataka. There were also reports that he would be taken to the Hosdurg court in Kasaragod. A police team was stationed in the court premises, but they vanished late at night. Rahul's personal assistant from his Palakkad office and driver Jose have been taken into custody by the SIT. They are the ones who helped and accompanied Rahul to escape. Rahul is the first MLA to be expelled by the state Congress following sexual harassment allegations.

Rahul resigned as the state president of the Youth Congress on August 21, succumbing to intense pressure following the sexual harassment allegations. He was suspended from the party's primary membership and parliamentary party on the 25th after the opposition leader and others took a strict stand. Rahul's appearance in Palakkad for the local body election campaign, even during this fuss, was also controversial.

Protectors also in crisis

Rahul went into hiding after a case was filed on the complaint of a woman. While this investigation was going on, another woman sent a complaint to the KPCC president. With this, Rahul's protectors were also in crisis. Senior leaders like Chennithala, K Muraleedharan, VM Sudheeran, Thiruvanchoor and others repeated the demand for Rahul's expulsion. The leadership's stance was still to wait for the verdict on the anticipatory bail application. Action was taken after the bail was denied. This move will give Congress the strength to defend itself in the elections, asking questions about what action was taken against the CPM MLA facing similar allegations.

Serious sexual assault

• District Principal Sessions Judge A. Nazira denied Rahul's anticipatory bail, observing that the case was a serious sexual assault and that there was a possibility of Rahul destroying evidence and influencing witnesses by using his official position.
• "It cannot be reduced to a consensual physical relationship. It is clear from the evidence that Rahul's every move was made with threats. It is also clear that the accused threatened to commit suicide and pressured the victim into agreeing to an abortion."
• The court considered the confidential statement given by the victim to the magistrate and the statement of the doctor who treated her. The court delivered the verdict at 2:30 pm yesterday. Wednesday's continuous proceedings lasted for only half an hour.

Second case?

Rahul had a relationship with a 23-year-old woman from Pathanamthitta living in Bengaluru in 2023. The case alleges that he sexually assaulted her on the promise of marriage. It is also said that the woman had injuries on her body.