The Kerala High Court has deferred the hearing on the anticipatory bail petition filed by Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil in an alleged sexual assault case to January 21. The court also extended the interim order that prevents his arrest until that date.
Court Proceedings and Key Developments
On Wednesday, Justice A Badharudeen adjourned the hearing following a request from Mamkootathil's legal counsel. In a significant move, the court permitted an application from the de facto complainant, allowing her to be impleaded as a party in the MLA's anticipatory bail petition. This grants her a formal voice in the legal proceedings concerning the bail plea.
Details of the Case and Allegations
The case, registered at the Nemom police station in Thiruvananthapuram, accuses Mamkootathil of serious offences including rape and coercion for terminating a pregnancy. The complaint originated from a written submission made by the woman to the Chief Minister, which was subsequently forwarded to the police for action.
In her complaint, the woman stated she was in a relationship with the MLA. She alleged that when she became pregnant, Mamkootathil coerced her into undergoing an illegal termination. She claims she agreed under pressure from his inducements.
MLA's Defense and Political Angle
In his petition seeking pre-arrest bail, Mamkootathil acknowledged a consensual relationship with the complainant, who is separated from her husband. He argued that the current legal dispute erupted after certain private voice conversations between them were leaked on social media, destroying mutual trust.
Furthermore, the MLA contended that his political opponents are capitalizing on the situation to tarnish his image and gain political mileage. The High Court, in its previous observations, noted the admitted consensual relationship between the parties. It emphasized the need for a detailed hearing, which led to the initial interim order on December 6 barring the police from arresting him.
The extension of this interim protection until January 21 provides a temporary legal reprieve for the legislator as the court prepares for a comprehensive hearing on his bail plea next month.
