Thiruvananthapuram: The Thiruvananthapuram Principal District and Sessions Court will deliver its order on the anticipatory bail plea of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in the case alleging that he raped a woman, impregnated her and forced her to undergo an abortion, as the hearing will continue on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the in-camera hearing on the anticipatory bail lasted over one and a half hours. The court examined the evidence submitted by Rahul Mamkootathil. Following this, the prosecution requested permission to submit additional evidence, which the court allowed.

Rahul’s lawyer argued in court that the case was fabricated and politically motivated. Apart from the allegations of rape and abortion, Rahul accepted all other claims made by the complainant, including that he had a prior acquaintance with the woman, that there was a romantic relationship, and that he visited the flat as she stated. However, his position remains that he neither committed rape nor forced the abortion.

The defence contended that the relationship with the woman was consensual. At the relevant time, the woman was married, and the pregnancy was from her husband, according to Rahul’s stance in court. He also submitted digital evidence, including pen drives and videos. Advocate Ajith Kumar appeared on behalf of Rahul Mamkootathil.

The prosecution submitted a report containing the gathered evidence. The investigation report indicated strong evidence supporting that rape had occurred. The prosecution opposed the anticipatory bail plea, asserting that evidence exists proving both the rape and the abortion.