Thiruvananthapuram: The mobile phone of the woman who filed a sexual assault complaint against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mankootathil has been taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The device is expected to undergo scientific examination as part of evidence collection.
Rahul’s bail plea was earlier postponed by the Thiruvananthapuram District Sessions Court to Wednesday. In the plea, Rahul reportedly admitted to having a physical relationship with the complainant but maintained that it was consensual, dismissing the rape allegation. He has also denied responsibility for the woman’s pregnancy, stating it was her husband’s and claiming she took the abortion medication on her own.
Rahul has alleged that the complaint is part of a CPI(M)–BJP conspiracy and claimed the woman was pressured by her employers—who allegedly have political ties—to file the complaint. Police registered the case after recording the woman’s statement, and Rahul’s associate Joby Joseph has been named as the second accused.
