Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 10: A Thiruvananthapuram court on Wednesday granted bail to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in the second sexual assault case filed against him, offering him interim legal respite even as two more cases continue to be probed.
The order came two days after the court reserved its decision on his anticipatory bail plea, during which it directed investigators not to take any coercive steps until the verdict was delivered.
The relief marks a significant moment in a case that has seen mounting legal scrutiny following a fresh complaint that led to the registration of a second rape case. According to the survivor, she was assaulted despite pleading for mercy and trying to break free, and she said she had stayed silent earlier due to persistent threats and intimidation. Her detailed statement was recorded by Superintendent of Police Poonguzhali, along with digital evidence that has been presented in court.
This second case builds on earlier allegations that Mamkootathil allegedly sexually assaulted the survivor after promising marriage and taking her to a homestay. The complainant has submitted WhatsApp chats, audio clips, and other digital records to support her claims.
As part of the bail conditions, the court has asked Mamkootathil to appear before the investigating officer every Monday. The MLA, who has been absconding since late November, is now under pressure to come out of hiding following the court’s decision.
Meanwhile, the High Court has already stayed his arrest in the first sexual assault case until December 15—a date that has gained importance as the court is expected to issue its final ruling on his bail plea in that matter.
Mamkootathil’s legal team has argued that the allegations are politically motivated and unreliable, while the prosecution has opposed any pre-arrest relief, pointing to the seriousness of the charges and the existence of corroborating digital evidence.
Police search operations are ongoing, with a newly formed special investigation team taking over after concerns arose about possible information leaks during the earlier search. The previous team, which conducted week-long searches in Karnataka, has now returned, and the new team has begun its work.