Thiruvananthapuram: The anticipatory bail application of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, accused in a case of raping a young woman, will be considered on Wednesday. Rahul has filed the anticipatory bail plea before the Thiruvananthapuram Principal District and Sessions Court. Indications suggest that he will remain out of public view until the court takes up the petition.

After the woman submitted a complaint to the Chief Minister, Rahul has not made any public appearance. Until then, he had been active in the election campaign. Rahul has denied the allegations of rape and forcing an abortion, and has approached the court seeking anticipatory bail. Reports suggest that he has been advised legally to stay in Palakkad until the bail plea is heard.

Police, meanwhile, are reportedly not rushing to arrest him. They are expected to move forward with an arrest only after the court issues its decision on the anticipatory bail plea.

Rahul Mamkootathil’s phone currently remains switched off. His MLA office is functioning, and his vehicle is at his residence. Congress sources indicate that Rahul may be staying at an undisclosed location.

Rahul has alleged a CPM–BJP conspiracy behind the complaint. He claims that the woman’s husband is a local BJP leader and that there is suspicion surrounding her decision to avoid lodging a complaint with the police and instead directly approach the Chief Minister during election season. Rahul raised these allegations in the anticipatory bail plea submitted the previous day.

Police have charged Rahul under serious sections, including those related to rape. His friend Joby Joseph has been named as the second accused. The case was registered by the Valiyamala Police early on Friday morning after the Thiruvananthapuram Rural SP recorded the complainant’s statement.

Sections invoked include those for repeated rape, abetting abortion, rape despite knowledge of pregnancy and filming and using intimate visuals for blackmail—under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as provisions of the IT Act. The charges carry the possibility of life imprisonment if proven.

The case initially registered by Valiyamala Police has since been transferred to Nemom Police. The complainant has also given a confidential statement before the Neyyattinkara First Class Judicial Magistrate Court.