Thiruvananthapuram: The anticipatory bail plea of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, accused in a rape case, is scheduled for consideration by the court on Saturday. Rahul has approached the Thiruvananthapuram Principal District Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail.

Rahul denied allegations that he coerced a woman into terminating her pregnancy after a sexual relationship. In his anticipatory bail plea submitted to the court, he reportedly stated: “I am not responsible for the pregnancy of the married woman; it is her husband. The abortion was carried out according to their own choice.”

Meanwhile, even though the anticipatory bail plea has been filed, the police can still arrest Rahul. A lookout notice has been issued to prevent him from leaving the country. However, reports indicate that Rahul is currently staying in Palakkad. It appears that this decision is based on legal advice stating that staying in Palakkad would not impact the bail plea.

Other arguments in Rahul’s anticipatory bail plea include:

  • The complaint is part of a conspiracy between the CPM and BJP. The husband of the woman is a local BJP leader. Rahul also questioned the timing and manner in which the complaint reached the Chief Minister directly, bypassing the police station.
  • The woman works in a private organisation linked to his rival party. He is ready to submit the woman’s voice message, in which she allegedly stated that the management had informed her she could not continue in the organisation unless she filed the complaint against him.
  • The case was filed to divert attention from the Sabarimala gold theft case.