In a dramatic turn in a high-profile rape case, the Kerala High Court has issued an urgent stay on the arrest of Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. The court’s intervention came just hours before police were set to take the legislator into custody over serious sexual assault allegations leveled by a female colleague.
The case erupted last month when the woman, also a party worker, filed a formal complaint accusing Mamkootathil of rape and harassment during a political event in Thrissur district. She detailed a pattern of coercive behavior, claiming the MLA exploited his position of power within the Congress party to intimidate her into silence. Local police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the IPC, including rape and criminal intimidation, prompting immediate political backlash.
Mamkootathil, a vocal critic of the ruling LDF government and a rising star in Kerala Congress politics, denied all charges vehemently. His legal team approached the High Court arguing that the timing of the complaint was politically motivated, coinciding with upcoming local body elections. They highlighted procedural lapses in the investigation and potential bias in the police probe.
Justice Kauser Edappagath, hearing the anticipatory bail plea, observed that immediate arrest could prejudice the investigation. ‘There is no immediate necessity for custodial interrogation at this stage,’ the court noted while granting protection until the next hearing. The order mandates the MLA’s cooperation with investigators and bars him from influencing witnesses.
The development has intensified Kerala’s polarized political landscape. Congress leaders hailed the verdict as a triumph of justice, accusing the state government of weaponizing law enforcement against opposition figures. CPI(M) countered by demanding a thorough probe, insisting no one is above the law. Women’s rights groups expressed dismay, urging faster action on gender-based crimes.
As the case unfolds, it underscores deeper issues of power dynamics within political parties and the challenges of pursuing justice in sensitive allegations. The High Court’s stay provides temporary relief to Mamkootathil but keeps the spotlight firmly on the gravity of the accusations. Further hearings will determine if bail is extended or if police proceed with arrest.