MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who was expelled from the Congress following rape allegations, moved the Kerala High Court on Friday seeking anticipatory bail.
The Thiruvananthapuram principal district and sessions court had on Thursday dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by Mamkootathil in connection with the sexual assault case registered against him holding that the charges in the complaint stood prima facie.
In his petition, the legislator contended that the allegations against him in the first information report do not fall under the definition of rape. He added that he is ready to explain the circumstances of the allegations before the police, if he is given an opportunity, without fear of arrest.
In the petition, Mamkootathil has admitted to having a physical relationship with the complainant but has contended that it was entirely consensual.
The petitioner also claims that political motives are influencing the case, particularly with elections approaching and that the allegations against him are false, politically motivated and intended to tarnish his public standing.
Rahul Mamkootathil was booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 64 for rape, Section 89 for forced miscarriage, Section 316 for criminal breach of trust, Section 351 for criminal intimidation, Section 329 for trespass and Section 116 for causing grievous hurt.He was also booked under Section 66E of the Information Technology Act for violation of privacy.
Mamkootathil has been evading the police ever since the registration of the case.
The Congress party on Thursday expelled Rahul Mamkootathil from the primary membership of the party, following mounting sexual harassment complaints against him.
KPCC president Sunny Joseph on Thursday announced that Rahul Mamkootathil has been expelled from the party’s primary membership minutes after the Thiruvananthapuram principal district and sessions court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the rape case.