Forced Abortion: Verdict Today on Anticipatory Bail Plea of Joby, Co-Accused of Rahul Mamkootathil

Thiruvananthapuram: Arguments have concluded on the anticipatory bail plea filed by Joby Joseph, a friend of Rahul Mamkootathil, in a case involving the brutal sexual abuse of a young woman and forcing her to undergo an abortion. The district principal sessions court heard the matter and will pronounce its verdict on Saturday.

According to the prosecution, Rahul Mamkootathil sent abortion pills to the survivor through Joby Joseph. Joby Joseph, a former chairman of the Catholicate College Union and a native of Mezhuveli in Aranmula, allegedly procured the medicines from Bengaluru on Rahul’s instructions and delivered them. It is also alleged that a video call was made to ensure that the woman consumed the pills, during which Joby Joseph was present.

Joby Joseph is the second accused in the case. Both he and Rahul were KSU union office-bearers at Catholicate College during the 2010–11 period. When Joby served as union chairman, Rahul was a university union councillor. Joby, who runs textile shops in Pathanamthitta and Adoor, is described as a close friend of Rahul.

Joby’s alleged involvement came to light after an audio recording detailing the survivor’s traumatic experience surfaced. In his defence, Joby has claimed that he merely procured the pills from a medical representative at the woman’s request and that he was unaware of the purpose for which the medicine was being used.