Sessions court rejects bail plea of Rahul Mamkoottathil, to be arrested anytime; Congress expel Rahul
Following the court's decision, the Congress leadership in Kerala expelled Rahul's primary membership from the party. The party had earlier stated that it would wait for the court's order before taking any disciplinary action, adding that further steps would follow if the MLA was found guilty. Rahul had also filed an interim plea seeking protection from arrest.
Thiruvananthapuram: In a major setback for Rahul Mamkoottathil and his followers, the District Sessions Court dismissed the bail plea of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil in the rape case registered by the Nemom police.
Meanwhile, Congress expels Rahul from the party primary membership. Rahul is expected to surrender in the court anytime from now.
The prosecution also presented additional digital evidence against Rahul during the hearing. The proceedings on Wednesday were held in camera before Judge S Nazeera, who reserved orders and decided to resume the hearing on Thursday.
Following the court’s decision, the Congress leadership in Kerala expelled Rahul’s primary membership from the party. The party had earlier stated that it would wait for the court’s order before taking any disciplinary action, adding that further steps would follow if the MLA was found guilty. Rahul had also filed an interim plea seeking protection from arrest.
Rahul was suspended from the Congress in August following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. He was subsequently removed from the parliamentary party and relieved of his position as state Youth Congress president. Although he continued appearing in public programmes, the recent complaint submitted directly to the Chief Minister led to the registration of an FIR and an intensified probe. Since then, he has been absconding.
The case was registered by the Nemom police based on a complaint forwarded by the Chief Minister’s Office, in which the survivor alleged that Rahul sexually assaulted her, forced her to terminate a pregnancy, and used videos—recorded without her consent—to threaten and coerce her. He was booked under sections 64 (2)(f) (rape by a person in a position of trust or authority), 64 (2)(h) (rape knowing the woman is pregnant), 64 (2)(m) (repeated rape on the same woman), 89 (causing miscarriage without consent), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351 (3) (criminal intimidation), and 3 (5) (joint criminal liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police have also invoked Section 66 (E) of the Information Technology Act for the alleged recording and threat of misuse of private images.