Published Dec 03, 2025 | 1:25 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 03, 2025 | 3:36 PM
Rahul Mamkootathil has been on the run ever since a case was registered against him.
Synopsis: Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan on Wednesday delivered the strongest condemnation from within the party, declaring that Mamkootathil’s return to the organisation is virtually impossible.
The Thiruvananthapuram district sessions court is likely to pronounce its verdict on the anticipatory bail plea of rape-accused Congress MLA, Rahul Mamkoottathil, on Thursday, 4 December.
Judge Nazeera S heard the defence and prosecution arguments in-camera for around 90 minutes on Wednesday, 3 December. The hearing will continue on Thursday.
The court asked the prosecution to submit one more document before issuing the order. It is learnt that the judge may pronounce the order either later on Wednesday or Thursday, after examining the remaining documents.
Despite a request from the defence to ensure that Mamkoottathil would not be arrested if the order is delayed, the prosecution declined to give any such guarantee.
All eyes have been on the Sessions Court in the state capital since morning, even as the Congress party signalled a tightening noose around the Palakkad MLA.
Nemom Police in Thiruvananthapuram registered a case against Mamkootathil on 28 November, after a woman complained to the chief minister that the young Congress leader had sexually abused and impregnated her, promising marriage.
The complainant also said that Mamkootathil gave her abortion pills through one of his friends.
On Saturday, 29 November, the MLA’s counsel submitted a sealed envelope to the court, which reportedly held evidence, claimed to be supporting his innocence.
The Congress had suspended Mamkootathil from the party for six months on 25 August, shortly after allegations of sexual abuse were levelled against him. However, the woman was then reluctant to complain.
Even as Kerala has been monomaniacally watching the case, and Mamkootathil remained on the lam, another woman came up with a complaint of sexual harassment against him.
The 23-year-old woman, living outside Kerala, said the politician had raped her at a homestay in Pathanamthitta.
In her complaint emailed to the KPCC President Sunny Joseph and Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi, she said Mamkootathil had promised to marry her and even wanted a child with her.
The KPCC has forwarded the complaint to the state police chief, DGP Ravada A Chandrasekhar.
Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan on Wednesday delivered the strongest condemnation from within the party, declaring that Mamkootathil’s return to the organisation is virtually impossible.
Speaking to the media, Muraleedharan said the party was prepared to take “strict action,” adding that the leadership would not hesitate to deploy its “Brahmastra” if required.
“The party takes action based on the situation. Earlier, there was no written complaint. Now, the complaint is before both the government and the party. Let Rahul decide whether he wants to vacate the MLA post. Once the umbilical cord is cut, the party has no connection with him,” Muraleedharan said in unusually sharp remarks.
He stressed that Congress assigned responsibilities to work for the people, not to “scale walls” or misuse public trust.
“If Rahul did what is mentioned in the complaint, he is not fit to continue in any field, let alone in public life,” Muraleedharan said, suggesting that Rahul’s actions have tarnished the party’s image.
UDF Convener Adoor Prakash, too, hinted at likely action against the MLA.
With the KPCC president forwarding the latest complaint to the DGP, party sources indicated that the suspension was no longer seen as a corrective measure but a prelude to a complete disassociation.
The leadership is reportedly exploring the option of expelling Mamkootathil if the court’s decision or further evidence strengthens the case against him.
The developments on Wednesday would likely chart Mamkootathil’s political future.
If his anticipatory bail request falters, it could trigger immediate and irreversible consequences, both legally and politically.
Conversely, even a favourable order from the court may not guarantee political protection, as the Congress appeared determined to distance itself from the controversy.
With the party’s disciplinary machinery now fully active and the judiciary set to deliver its first response, Mamkootathil finds himself at a crossroads — one that could redefine his career and signal a broader message from the Congress on handling allegations of misconduct with elections round the corner.
