Rahul Mamkootathil released on bail in third sexual assault case

ALAPPUZHA: Rahul Mamkootathil MLA, who got bail in the third sexual assault case against him, has been released from jail. He came out after spending 18 days in jail. He was released from Mavelikkara Sub Jail and is expected to go to his house in Adoor. Rahul did not make any statement to the media.

Outside the jail, Yuva Morcha workers staged large-scale protests. The situation turned tense after some protesters threw eggs, following which the police arrested and removed them to restore order. A relative of Rahul reached the jail with the official release order.

The Pathanamthitta Sessions Court granted bail to Rahul on Wednesday. The court directed him to appear before the investigating officer every Saturday. It also instructed him not to influence witnesses and not to issue any threats through social media.

The court stated that bail was being granted as the special investigation team did not require Rahul for further custodial interrogation. The bail order also said that the digital evidence submitted by the defence would be examined in detail at the next stage of the case. The court noted that the investigation is at an initial stage and that proper procedures were not followed during Rahul’s arrest.

Earlier, the Thiruvalla Magistrate Court had rejected Rahul’s bail plea in the third rape case. Justice Arundhati Dileep passed the order after hearing detailed arguments for nearly two hours in a closed court. Prosecutor M G Devi appeared for the prosecution. The defence argued that the relationship between Rahul and the woman was consensual and submitted digital evidence to support this claim.