Kerala MLA Granted Interim Protection Amid Rape Allegations
Kerala High Court's Decision
On Saturday, the Kerala High Court provided interim protection from arrest to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who is facing serious allegations of rape. This decision was reported by various news outlets.
Justice K Babu issued the ruling following an anticipatory bail petition submitted by Mamkootathil. The judge scheduled a hearing for December 15, indicating that the MLA should not be arrested until that date.
Earlier, a sessions court in Thiruvananthapuram denied Mamkootathil's request for anticipatory bail, prompting him to appeal to the High Court.
In response to the ongoing situation, the Congress party in Kerala expelled Mamkootathil on Thursday.
The MLA was charged on November 28 after a woman accused him of rape, claiming he used deceit to obtain sexual consent and pressured her into terminating her pregnancy.
Additional allegations include verbal threats and violations of the Information Technology Act.
Another woman has also accused Mamkootathil of sexual abuse occurring in 2023, as reported by a major news outlet. She submitted her complaint to the Congress state leadership, which was subsequently forwarded to the police, resulting in a second FIR against him.
Mamkootathil has asserted that the accusations are unfounded, politically motivated, and aimed at damaging his reputation. He acknowledged having a physical relationship with the complainant but insisted it was consensual.
The first FIR includes charges under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, with police investigating claims that Mamkootathil procured abortion-inducing medication without a prescription and pressured the woman to take them while on a video call.
Joby Thomas, a businessman from Pathanamthitta, has been identified as the second accused in this case.
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act stipulates that only licensed medical practitioners can administer abortion pills after conducting necessary tests, including ultrasounds.
Since the initial case was filed, Mamkootathil has reportedly been evading authorities.
In August, the Congress party suspended him from its primary membership following multiple allegations of misconduct from various women. He subsequently resigned from his position as the Kerala Youth Congress chief.
On Thursday, the state Congress chief, Sunny Joseph, mentioned that the party leadership had been involved in the decision to expel Mamkootathil, stating that it would be best for him to resign as a legislator. He emphasized that the Congress party has never shielded him and that his continued membership had become ethically questionable.