Thiruvananthapuram, December 4
In a major setback for Congress MLA Rahul Mankoottathil, the Principal District and Sessions Court on Thursday rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the sexual assault case registered against him.
The court, after examining prosecution documents, including medical evidence, witness statements and digital records, observed that granting anticipatory bail at this stage could hinder the progress of the investigation.
Mankoottathil faces allegations of sexual assault, impregnating the complainant, and pressuring her into undergoing an abortion. Meanwhile, KPCC President Sunny Joseph MLA announced that Mankoottathil already under suspension, has been expelled from the primary membership of the Congress. The action follows multiple serious complaints and the criminal case filed against him.
The MLA has remained untraceable for several days, prompting police to issue a lookout notice. With the court denying him protection from arrest, investigation teams have intensified efforts to locate him.
