The Kerala High Court on Saturday granted interim protection from arrest to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in the rape and forced-abortion case registered against him last week. The order was issued by Justice K. Babu, who scheduled the hearing of the MLA’s anticipatory bail plea for December 15, 2025.
“Petitioner shall not be arrested during the pendency. Post on December 15, 2025,” the court said while granting temporary relief.
The High Court’s direction comes after a Thiruvananthapuram sessions court had rejected Mamkootathil’s anticipatory bail plea on Thursday in connection with the first rape case.
Second Rape Case Filed
A second FIR accusing Mamkootathil of rape was lodged on Wednesday based on the complaint of another woman from Bengaluru. His staff member and driver have also been named as accused in the case.
MLA Remains Absconding, Claims Innocence
Mamkootathil has been absconding since the first case was filed. In his plea before the High Court, he claimed he was innocent and argued that custodial interrogation was unnecessary. He contended that the relationship with the first complainant was consensual, and the complaint was filed only after their relationship became strained.
He further argued that the complainant, who he claimed was separated from her husband, had “disowned” their relationship to protect herself. The MLA alleged that the investigation team was attempting to “mislead the facts” and said he possessed documents to prove his claims.
Mamkootathil also expressed willingness to cooperate with the investigation if allowed to appear before the probe team without fear of immediate arrest.
Next Hearing on December 15
The High Court will take up the anticipatory bail petition for detailed hearing on December 15.
