Sexual assault case: Kerala HC stays Rahul Mamkoottathil's arrest till Dec 18

Thiruvananthapuram: In a temporary relief to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil, the Kerala high court granted interim protection from arrest till December 18. The case pertains to the complaint made after the survivor alleged that she was raped and later forced for abortion by the Palakkad MLA.

Justice K Babu deferred the anticipatory bail plea to December 18 for further hearing.

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The decision comes as a relief for the Palakkad MLA who had managed to secure interim bail in another sexual assault case. Rahul, who was absconding for 2 weeks had arrived at Palakkad for casting the vote for the Local body elections.

CPM and BJP who had predicted a setback for the Congress due to the case against MLA were shocked as Congress managed to win most seats in Gram Panchayat and municipality wards.

Rahul Mamkoottathil is arrayed as the first accused in the crime registered by the Nemom police and is accused of the offences under section 64(2)(f), 64(2)(h), 64(2)(m), 89 and 115(2) and 351(3).

The High court's decision will be extremely crucial for Rahul who was expelled from the Congress party after the sessions court rejected his bail plea initially. 

"Rahul Mamkoottathil is a closed chapter as far as the Congress is concerned. The party has no plans to reinstate him irrespective of the election outcome", said a senior Congress leader in Palakkad. 

However, a large number of Congress local leaders and supporters welcomed Rahul when he arrived at Palakkad on the eve of elections. 

AIG G Poonkuzhali probing both cases against Rahul 

Both the sexual assault cases against the Palakkad MLA is being probed by AIG G Poonkuzhali. Rahul has been questioned twice by the SIT team from Ernakulam. 

However, sources close to Rahul says that he might not appear before the probe team on Monday.