Rahul Mamkoottathil Moves High Court Again for Anticipatory Bail While On the Run

Kochi: Rahul Mamkoottathil has filed a fresh anticipatory bail plea in the High Court in connection with the sexual harassment case against him. He submitted the application while remaining on the run. earlier, his plea was rejected by the Sessions Court, which permitted his arrest. Following the rejection, he has now approached the High Court again. The plea will be considered tomorrow.

In his plea, Mamkoottathil argues that evidence submitted by the survivor was not properly considered. Filing another bail plea while absconding has strengthened allegations that he is receiving support from the Congress leadership.

Mamkoottathil has been missing for nine days, ever since the survivor met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in person on November 27 and submitted her complaint. This is the second time he has approached the court for anticipatory bail while evading arrest. Many believe this indicates he is receiving external assistance.

Investigators had earlier received information that Mamkoottathil had escaped to Karnataka. He reportedly fled in a red Polo car belonging to an actor friend. CCTV footage of this has been secured by the Special Investigation Team. He is said to have switched vehicles and mobile phones multiple times during his escape.

Police searches for Rahul have intensified across border regions. There are rumours that he may surrender before court in Kerala today. Intelligence units have already issued alerts to district police chiefs. Two staff members from his Palakkad MLA office—Alwin and driver Fazal—have been taken into custody for questioning.

The Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court, while rejecting his earlier anticipatory bail plea, had observed that prima facie evidence indicates Mamkoottathil's involvement in sexually assaulting the woman, impregnating her, and forcing an abortion. The court ruled that the gravity of the allegations makes it impossible to grant anticipatory bail or restrain his arrest.