Pranav B Prem

The Kerala government on Thursday approached the Kerala High Court challenging the order of the Thiruvananthapuram District and Sessions Court that granted anticipatory bail to MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in the second rape case registered against him. The appeal has been filed in “Rahul BR @ Rahul Mamkootathil v. State of Kerala”. Mamkootathil was granted pre-arrest bail on Wednesday by District and Sessions Judge Nazeera S., who had earlier rejected his anticipatory bail plea in connection with another rape case involving a different complainant.

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The present case stems from a complaint forwarded by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Sunny Joseph to the State Police Chief. The complaint was based on an email received from the victim, who alleged that Mamkootathil raped her in 2023 after inviting her to a resort under the pretext of discussing a marital proposal. According to her statement, Mamkootathil contacted her via Telegram, persuaded her to meet him to discuss her future, and later took her to a secluded homestay accompanied by a friend. She alleged that he assaulted and raped her there, leaving her with multiple injuries. Following the receipt of the complaint, the Crime Branch registered a rape case and initiated further investigation.

Before the Sessions Court, Mamkootathil contended that the accusations were fabricated and engineered for political reasons. He argued that there was no evidence to support the allegations and claimed that the prosecution was an attempt to damage his reputation and political career.

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The Congress party suspended Mamkootathil in August after several women raised allegations of sexual misconduct against him. He subsequently resigned as the Youth Congress State President. Last week, he was formally expelled from the party. Nevertheless, he continues to serve as the MLA representing the Palakkad constituency. Just last week, the Kerala High Court granted an interim stay on his arrest in another rape case filed by a journalist, providing temporary protection in the parallel proceedings against him.