Court Takes Up Plea to Cancel Rahul Mamkoottathil’s Bail on Second Rape Case

Thiruvananthapuram: The Thiruvananthapuram Judicial Magistrate Court has taken up a petition filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) seeking cancellation of the bail granted to former Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in the second rape case against him. The SIT alleged that Mamkoottathil violated the conditions of his anticipatory bail by attempting to contact the survivor through a WhatsApp call.

Appearing for the accused, Advocate Sasthamangalam Ajith sought time to submit a written objection and present arguments before the court. Prosecutor Manu Kallampally requested that documents containing the survivor’s personal information be kept confidential, given the sensitive nature of the case. Magistrate Tania Mariam Jose adjourned the matter to March 6 for further hearing.

According to the SIT, the survivor in the second rape case informed the investigation team on the 17th of this month that Mamkootathil had attempted to reach out via WhatsApp. The SIT subsequently reported to the court that this action constituted a violation of the fifth bail condition, which explicitly prohibits the accused from attempting to influence or contact the survivor.

The Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court had earlier granted Rahul Mamkootathil bail under strict conditions, clearly directing that he must not attempt to influence survivors or witnesses during the bail period.

Mamkootathil has also been granted anticipatory bail in two other rape cases in which he is an accused. In those cases, the survivors have alleged serious sexual assault. The court imposed stringent bail conditions, taking into account the gravity of the allegations and concerns that the survivors were facing cyber harassment from the accused’s supporters.