Third Rape Case: Sessions Court Postpones Bail Hearing of Congress MLA Rahul Mankootathil

Pathanamthitta: The Pathanamthitta District Sessions Court on Tuesday postponed the hearing on the bail plea of Congress MLA Rahul Mankootathil, who is in judicial custody in connection with a third rape case, to January 22.

The bail application had earlier been dismissed by the Thiruvalla Magistrate Court, after which the MLA moved the Sessions Court seeking relief. During the hearing, the prosecution informed the court that the investigation is still in progress and that additional evidence is yet to be collected. It also informed the court that the process of recording the survivor’s confidential statement is nearing completion.

In light of these submissions, the court decided to list the matter for detailed arguments on Thursday. Rahul Mankootathil was arrested on January 11 from a hotel in Palakkad following a complaint filed by a Canada-based NRI woman.

The complaint alleges that the MLA sexually assaulted the survivor on the promise of marriage, forced her to undergo an abortion, and subjected her to financial exploitation. Rahul Mankootathil is currently lodged at the Mavelikkara sub-jail. Meanwhile, police are continuing investigations against him in two other rape cases as well.