Rahul Mamkootathil | Photo credit: KK Mustafah
The Chief Sessions Court, Thiruvananthapuram, on Wednesday (December 3, 2024) posted the anticipatory bail application filed by Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in the rape and forced termination of pregnancy case for further hearing on Thursday (December 4, 2025).
The court conducted the hearing, which lasted almost two hours, in private.
Investigators said the prosecution requested more time to submit additional materials, including possible medico-legal certificates, statements from doctors who treated the complainant and preliminary audio forensics, to counter the defense’s arguments.
Mr. Mamkootathila’s lawyer reportedly asked for immunity from arrest until the court decides on his client’s anticipatory bail. However, the state reportedly remained non-committal. The court has not yet issued any order in response to the defense’s request.
The defense made its primary contention that Mr Mamkootathil was the victim of a “political conspiracy”. It argued that the MLA’s relationship with the complainant, a female acquaintance, was consensual.
The defense rejected the prosecution’s allegation that the MLA forced the woman to consume strong drugs, thereby causing an abortion against her will. He also stated that the complainant was legally married and took the abortion pills of her own free will.
The State Party submitted the Police Preliminary Investigation Report in a sealed cover.
The prosecution reportedly highlighted that the case involves alleged repeated rape by a person in a position of trust and authority, obtaining sexual consent by fraudulent means, suspected illegal abortion, causing injury and causing life-threatening complications resulting from the dangerous, illegal and forced administration of powerful abortion drugs, allegedly without a prescription or medical supervision.
Officials said the prosecution claimed the investigation was in its nascent stage. If granted bail, the state argues, the accused could jeopardize the investigation by using his political power to intimidate witnesses, destroy evidence and attempt to influence or threaten a “survivor”.
Moreover, the state party has reportedly accused Mr. Mamkootathila of not cooperating with the investigation and remaining in solitary confinement after the Nemom police registered a case last week.
Moreover, the prosecution reportedly said that the custodial interrogation of Mr. Mamkootathila was necessary given the seriousness of the allegations against the MLA and his accomplices. The prosecution said digital evidence, particularly incriminating voice recordings and text messages, was vital to the case.
The police therefore had to seize the MLA’s digital devices, including mobile phones, tablets and computers, to examine audio recordings and text messages, identify the parties involved and detect any manipulation or fraud.
The prosecution also reportedly highlighted the need for an investigative probe into Mr. Mamkootathila’s associate Joba Joseph, who allegedly delivered the abortion pills to the woman and made sure she consumed them, while the MLA allegedly ensured compliance with the video call.
Published – 03 Dec 2025 16:03 IST
