Court reserves ruling on Cong MLA Rahul Mamkootathil’s bail plea, orders ‘no coercive action’
On December 8, a court in Thiruvananthapuram put the decision on Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil’s anticipatory bail application on hold, instead giving the investigative team a temporary injunction not to take any forceful or serious action against him until the verdict comes on Wednesday.
The stay comes as the investigation intensified after a second sexual‑assault complaint was lodged. The victim, who has already provided a detailed police statement, claims she was assaulted even after pleading for mercy and clinging to the accused in a desperate bid to escape. She said that repeated threats and intimidation had prevented her from speaking up earlier. The statement was recorded by SP Poonguzhali, and both her testimony and the digital evidence—WhatsApp chats, voice notes and other electronic records—have been submitted to the court.
This latest relief follows the High Court’s earlier order last week suspending Rahul’s arrest in the first assault case until the 15th of the month. His lawyer argued that the case was politically motivated and lacked substance, while the prosecution opposed any pre‑arrest bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the corroborating digital evidence. Meanwhile, police are still tracking the MLA, who has been on the run since fleeing on the 27th of last month. A new special squad has been formed after concerns surfaced that information from the prior search operation may have leaked; the first team, after conducting searches for over a week, has returned from Karnataka, and the fresh team is expected to resume work soon.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
