Expelled Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil, who was arrested earlier this month in connection with a rape case, has been granted bail by a court in Pathanamthitta. Mamkootathil, a first-time MLA, had been in custody since his arrest on January 11 from a hotel in Palakkad. Following his arrest, he was remanded to judicial custody and taken to various locations linked to the case for evidence collection.
The bail order comes after the Thiruvalla Magistrate Court had previously denied him relief, a setback for the expelled MLA. Prosecutors had opposed bail, labeling Mamkootathil a “habitual offender” and highlighting his past temporary relief from the High Court in similar cases. Concerns were raised about the possibility of more complaints emerging and the potential influence on witnesses if bail was granted.
During the bail plea hearing, a detailed report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was considered by the court. The prosecution requested a closed courtroom session due to the case’s sensitive nature. Investigators presented chat records between Mamkootathil and the complainant as evidence and mentioned ongoing procedures to record the woman’s confidential statement.
The defence argued that the relationship was consensual and contended that continued incarceration was unnecessary. They assured cooperation with the investigation, emphasizing that Mamkootathil, as a former public representative, posed no risk if released on bail. The case has sparked broader controversy, especially on social media, with screenshots of alleged WhatsApp chats between Mamkootathil and the complainant being shared online, leading to legal action against individuals for cyber harassment.
