Kerala High Court Grants Interim Protection to Expelled MLA in Rape Case

The Kerala High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in a rape and forced abortion case. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the court's decision as standard procedure. Mamkootathil faces accusations of evading arrest with alleged support from the Congress.

In a recent legal development, the Kerala High Court has extended interim protection to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who faces charges of rape and forced abortion. The ruling was described by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as a routine legal procedure.

Vijayan emphasized that although anticipatory bail applications do not legally prevent arrests, it is customary in Kerala to defer actions until a court ruling is reached. The Chief Minister also pointed out that the court clearly instructed that no arrest should be made until the matter is heard on December 15.

The CM further accused the Congress of shielding the MLA, allowing him to evade arrest. Meanwhile, Mamkootathil sought additional anticipatory bail in a second sexual assault case, as the Congress MLA remains in hiding following his expulsion from the party.

(With inputs from agencies.)