Thiruvananthapuram: The Sessions Court has rejected the anticipatory bail application of MLA Rahul Mankootathil in the sexual assault case.
The court noted that prima facie evidence exists and accepted the prosecution’s stance that there is clear proof of rape and forced abortion. The prosecution submitted medical records, audio clips, videos, WhatsApp chats and other digital evidence.
Rahul’s legal team argued that the relationship was consensual and claimed a political conspiracy involving the BJP and CPI(M). They alleged the case was engineered to sabotage his political future and divert attention from the gold smuggling case.
Rahul has been absconding for the past eight days. He faces two cases, including charges of rape and forced abortion. His friend Joby Joseph from Adoor, who allegedly delivered abortion pills, is the second accused. The charges carry a possible sentence of life imprisonment.
