Double jolt to Rahul Mamkootathil: No anticipatory bail for Palakkad MLA in rape case; expelled from Congress

A Kerala court on Thursday, December 4, dismissed anticipatory bail to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in connection with the sexual assault case. The order was passed by Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court District Judge Nazeera S. Soon after, Mamkootathil was expelled from the Congress party.

The MLA has been absconding over the last eight days after the Kerala police registered a case of rape and forceful abortion against him on the basis of a woman's complaint. He is suspected to be in a hide out in Karnataka. 

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph said that the decision to expel Mamkootathil from the party was taken unanimously with AICC's approval. 

He also said that Mamkootathil should preferably quit the MLA post. It is for him to decide,he said. 

Already two sexual assault cases were registered against Mamkootathil. A Congress woman leader also alleged that she faced misbehaviour from Mamkootathil. 

Mamkootathil was suspended from the Congress in August after sexual allegations surfaced against him. 

The fresh developments are causing much embarrassment to the Congress just ahead of the  local body polls on Dec 9 and 11.