Court rejects arguments, Rahul Mamkootathil remanded in three-day police custody

KOLLAM: The Thiruvalla court remanded Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in three-day police custody over the sexual assault case. The court accepted the SIT's argument that more evidence needs to be collected in the case. The SIT had sought seven days of custody, but the court reduced it to three days. Rahul is to be produced before the court again on the evening of January 15. The court will consider the bail application on the 16th.

Several youth organisations are holding protests in the court premises. A large police force was also deployed in the area for security reasons.

Meanwhile, the defence argued that the arrest was illegal and the case politically motivated. The defence argued that it was a fabricated case and said the arrest itself was surprising. However, the court accepted the SIT's demand to recover electronic evidence and bring it to Palakkad.

The MLA was arrested on a complaint filed by a 31-year-old married woman now settled in Canada. The remand report states that she was sexually assaulted at a hotel in Thiruvalla on April 8, 2024. It is also reported that the woman, who is in Canada, will soon return to Kerala to give a statement and produce crucial evidence.