Pathanamthitta: The Principal District and Sessions Court in Pathanamthitta on Thursday heard arguments on the regular bail application of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in the third rape case registered against him.

After hearing both sides, Sessions Judge N Harikumar posted the matter for further hearing on Saturday, January 24. Rahul approached the Sessions Court after his bail plea was rejected by the Judicial First Magistrate Court in Thiruvalla last week. He was arrested on January 11 in connection with the case.

According to the prosecution, Rahul became acquainted with the survivor through social media and allegedly induced her to book a hotel room on April 8, 2024, where he raped her. The prosecution further alleged that the survivor became pregnant as a result of the assault and later suffered a miscarriage. He is also accused of threatening her. The case has been registered under Sections 376 (rape) and 506(i) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The MLA has denied the allegations, stating that the relationship was consensual and that a false case was filed due to his political position. In his bail plea, he cited a delay in filing the FIR and argued that the survivor had not signed the First Information Statement within the required time, as it was submitted electronically. He also claimed that the mandatory medical examination was not conducted and that the grounds of his arrest were not communicated to him.

The bail plea was argued by senior advocate Sasthamangalam S Ajithkumar, along with advocates Sekhar G Thampi and Abhilash Chandran.