Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court granted interim protection from arrest to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil on December 6, 2025, preventing his arrest until the 15th of December, amid his anticipatory bail application. Justice K Babu emphasised that no arrest would occur during the pendency of the application due to serious contentions raised by Mamkootathil, including claims of a consensual relationship and allegations of investigative misconduct.

Expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil faces two rape cases: the first involving rape and forced abortion registered last week, and a second from a Bengaluru woman lodged on Wednesday. A Thiruvananthapuram sessions court rejected his anticipatory bail plea on December 4, prompting his High Court move while absconding.

He claims the relationships were consensual, denies coercing abortion, and asserts the complaints are politically motivated to tarnish his image amid other issues like the Sabarimala gold case. The prosecution argues that custodial interrogation is essential due to digital evidence like voice recordings, potential witness tampering risks from his political influence, and ongoing probes into abetment of suicide.

Mamkootathil alleged attempts by investigators to "mislead the facts," stating he possesses sufficient documents to substantiate this claim.