The District Sessions Court is scheduled to consider the anticipatory bail petition of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil on December 3. The suspended Congress legislator approached the court on Friday after Nemom police booked him in a rape case based on a woman’s complaint.
Meanwhile, SFI activists staged a protest against the MLA in the district on Saturday. Activists of the CPM-affiliated students’ outfit were seen distributing posters portraying the MLA as a "wanted criminal" among the public in Palakkad. The posters were also displayed at bus depots across the district.
It is rumoured that Rahul remains at a hideout in Palakkad, although reports indicate that his personal assistant and driver were spotted at the MLA’s office on Saturday.
In his court plea, the MLA argued that the complaint is politically motivated and fabricated. He denied all allegations, including the charge of forced abortion, and described the complainant as a close friend.
According to the petition, the woman befriended him through Facebook, and their relationship later led to consensual sex. Rahul claimed he supported her after she allegedly faced domestic violence from her husband, and he dismissed the accusation that he impregnated her.
The MLA further alleged that the woman had recorded every moment of their relationship —including chats and voice clips — as part of a political conspiracy to tarnish his image. He said that she leaked audio clips during the local body polls before filing the current complaint. He also questioned her decision to approach the Chief Minister instead of the local police.
According to the FIR, the MLA allegedly raped her multiple times, even when the victim was pregnant. It mentions that on March 17, her videos were recorded in her apartment, and that he threatened to release them if their relationship became public.
The FIR further states that despite knowing she was pregnant, Rahul allegedly raped her at her apartment on April 22, and then over two days in the last week of May at his apartment in Palakkad.
The case has been registered under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those relating to rape by a person in position of trust or authority (Section 64(2)(f)), rape knowing the woman is pregnant (Section 64(2)(h)), repeated rape (Section 64(2)(m)), causing miscarriage without consent (Section 89), voluntarily causing hurt (Section 115(2)), and criminal intimidation (Section 351(3)). Police have also invoked Section 66(E) of the Information Technology Act for the alleged recording and threat of misuse of private images.
KPCC had earlier suspended Rahul Mamkoottathil from the party after other women complained that he misbehaved with them through social media.
Also read: Palakkad MLA faces FIR over forced abortion charge
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