The order was passed while considering his anticipatory bail plea against cases registered by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Published Jan 07, 2026 | 3:54 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 07, 2026 | 3:54 PM
Rahul Mamkootathil. (Facebook)
Synopsis: The order was passed while considering his anticipatory bail plea against cases registered by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). A single bench headed by Justice A. Badaruddin allowed the survivor’s application to be impleaded as a party in the anticipatory bail proceedings.
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday, 7 January, extended the arrest ban on Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in an alleged rape case, directing that he should not be arrested until 21 January.
The order was passed while considering his anticipatory bail plea against cases registered by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). A single bench headed by Justice A. Badaruddin allowed the survivor’s application to be impleaded as a party in the anticipatory bail proceedings.
The court granted the complainant two weeks to file a reply affidavit opposing the bail plea.
The Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court had earlier rejected Mamkootathil’s anticipatory bail application in the first case registered by the SIT, following which he approached the High Court.
He has been booked under charges including rape, harassment on the promise of marriage, incitement to abortion, and housebreaking. In her petition, the survivor has contended that granting anticipatory bail to the MLA would pose a serious threat to her life and safety.
She has also alleged that she and her family are facing cyber attacks and intimidation.
Meanwhile, the sessions court had granted anticipatory bail to Mamkootathil in another rape case filed by a different woman.
The state government’s appeal challenging that order is also under the High Court’s consideration.
In a related development, Justice Badaruddin sought an explanation from the state government on an anticipatory bail plea filed by Rahul Easwar in a complaint alleging that he insulted the survivor in the Mamkootathil case. That plea will be heard again on 16 January.
Separately, the survivor’s former husband addressed a press conference demanding swift action on a complaint he had submitted to the Chief Minister and the State Police Chief alleging that the MLA’s actions had destroyed his family life.
Claiming that no action had been taken even days after filing the complaint, he demanded that Mamkootathil be taken into custody and questioned.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
