Kerala HC grants anticipatory bail to MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in first rape case

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (February 12, 2026) granted anticipatory bail to expelled Congress leader and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in the first case registered against him by the Nemom police in Thiruvananthapuram for alleged rape and forced abortion of a woman.

A Bench of Justice Kauser Edappagath granted the MLA bail on the condition that he would appear before the investigating officer on February 16 for interrogation and also surrender his mobile phone.

The interrogation can be done for three days, from 10 am to 4 pm each day. If the officer intended to arrest him, Mr. Mamkootathil ought to be released on executing a bail bond of ₹1 lakh. The MLA must also not attempt to contact the respondent or the prosecution witnesses, neither shall he leave Kerala. He must, in addition, surrender his passport before the investigating officer, the court said, and reserved its verdict on the matter.

The MLA was given extension of interim protection from arrest early January.

The High Court had also permitted to implead the woman who had levelled the rape and forced abortion allegations against him, in the case.