The District and Sessions Court in Pathanamthitta on Wednesday granted bail to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in connection with the alleged rape of an NRI woman, marking relief for the expelled Congress legislator in the third such case registered against him.
The court had earlier reserved its order on the bail plea after the prosecution questioned the authenticity of certain digital evidence produced by the accused. During the hearing, the defence maintained that the relationship between Mamkootathil and the complainant was consensual.
Mamkootathil has been in judicial custody at the Mavelikkara sub-jail since January 11. The present case relates to allegations by an NRI woman who claimed that the legislator befriended her through social media and later compelled her to book a hotel room, where he allegedly raped her.
Also read: Ex-Palakkad MLA denied bail in third rape case
The complainant has further alleged that she became pregnant following the assault and later suffered a miscarriage. The case forms part of a series of sexual assault complaints lodged against the MLA by three different women.
While granting bail in the third case, the court took note of submissions from both sides regarding the nature of evidence and the circumstances cited by the prosecution. Earlier, a court had rejected his bail plea in another rape case, leading to his continued incarceration.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court is scheduled to consider Mamkootathil’s anticipatory bail plea on Wednesday in connection with the first rape case registered against him.
The legislator was expelled from the Congress following the registration of multiple cases, triggering political controversy in the state.
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