The bail arguments for Rahul Mamkootathil, the MLA from Palakkad, Kerala, who was expelled from the Congress party and arrested in connection with a rape case, were finalized in Thiruvalla. The court has reserved its decision following the conclusion of the arguments. The hearing was held privately at the prosecution’s request.
The court is expected to review the report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) during the bail plea consideration. The prosecution strongly opposed granting bail, citing multiple complaints against Mamkootathil. They highlighted ongoing investigations into two other sexual assault cases and efforts to record the complainant’s confidential statement.
During the court session, the prosecution presented chat records between the accused and the complainant. The defense argued that all communications were consensual and emphasized Mamkootathil’s commitment as a public representative. Meanwhile, WhatsApp chat screenshots between Mamkootathil and the complainant were disclosed by his friend Fenny Ninan.
Allegedly, the woman had requested a private meeting with the MLA, as revealed by Ninan. Following the woman’s complaints, the Pathanamthitta Cyber Police took action against Ninan for cyber harassment due to sharing the chats online. Additionally, Renjitha Pulickal, a Congress worker who posted against the complainant on social media, was arrested after a cyber harassment complaint.
On January 11, Mamkootathil was swiftly apprehended by the police while staying at a hotel in Palakkad. Since then, he has been in either judicial or police custody, moving between locations as part of the investigation process. The charges against him include rape and coerced medical termination of pregnancy.
