Rahul still at large, likely to approach high court seeking anticipatory bail; employees being questioned

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rahul Mamkootathil MLA, the accused in a rape case, is still at large for the ninth day. Rahul went into hiding soon after a case was registered on the complaint of a woman. There were speculations yesterday that he was taken into custody from Sullia in Karnataka. However, it was later clarified that he could not be arrested.

Rahul is likely to approach the high court today with an anticipatory bail plea. He is planning to approach the high court after the Thiruvananthapuram District Sessions Court rejected his bail plea yesterday. District Principal Sessions Judge A Nazeera denied anticipatory bail, observing that Rahul's case was a serious sexual assault and that there was a possibility of destroying evidence and influencing witnesses by using his official position.

The court had pointed that it was clear from evidences that Rahul's every move was following threats and cannot be termed as consensual sex. Rahul was expelled from the Congress after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected. Rahul is the first MLA to be expelled by the state Congress following sexual assault allegations.

Meantime, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is questioning Rahul's personal assistant and driver Jose, who were taken into custody yesterday. The investigation officers have found that they are the ones who helped and accompanied Rahul to escape. The two left Palakkad on Saturday and accompanied Rahul all the way to Tamil Nadu. The SIT took the two into custody after they returned to Palakkad yesterday.