Rahul Mamkootathil | Photo credit: KK Mustafah
The Thiruvalla First Class Judicial Court on Saturday (January 17, 2026) denied bail to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in connection with the case of alleged rape of an NRI woman. With that, he will continue to be remanded in custody.
Justice Arundhathi Dileep rejected the bail application after a detailed hearing held the previous day. In his bail application, the MLA claimed that his relationship with the woman was consensual. He also claimed that proper procedures were not followed in his arrest.
At the request of the deputy public prosecutor, the proceedings were held in private for reasons of confidentiality. Mr. Mamkootathil, who was arrested from Palakkad on January 11, is now expected to approach the court seeking bail. The application is scheduled for Monday.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly got in touch with the complainant, a native of Thiruvalla, through social media at a time when she was facing personal problems in her married life. He allegedly brutally assaulted her in a hotel room during their first meeting.
Lawmakers have two more rape cases pending against him.
Published – 17 Jan 2026 13:48 IST