Rahul Mamkootathil's anticipatory bail plea: Court to deliver verdict tomorrow

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The verdict on the anticipatory bail plea filed by Rahul Mamkootathil MLA in the sexual assault case will be delivered tomorrow. The Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court heard the plea today. The arguments were held in a closed courtroom for about one and a half hours, and will continue tomorrow. The court has not stopped the police from arresting Rahul.

According to sources, the report submitted by the police contains serious remarks against Rahul. The prosecution also presented audio clips and chats in which Rahul allegedly threatened the complainant. The prosecution argued that if Rahul is granted bail, he may threaten the complainant and destroy evidence.

However, Rahul’s lawyer claimed that the woman’s complaint is false. He argued that the relationship was consensual and that the case is part of a BJP–CPM conspiracy to destroy Rahul’s political future. The defence also argued that the case was brought up to divert public attention from the gold theft issue.

Rahul approached the court for anticipatory bail soon after the police registered the case and began procedures for arrest. In the bail plea, Rahul stated that he had a long-term friendship with the complainant but never raped her. He also said he would cooperate with the investigation.

The case was first registered at the Valiyamala Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram and later transferred to the Nemom Police Station. The charges include rape on the promise of marriage and forced abortion, which are non-bailable offences. These charges carry a punishment ranging from 10 years in prison to life imprisonment. Rahul went into hiding soon after the case was registered.

Yesterday, another woman also came forward with sexual harassment allegations against Rahul. She filed a complaint with the KPCC, which has handed it over to the police. A case is expected to be registered today based on this new complaint.