HC halts ex-Congress legislator's arrest on rape charges

The Kerala High Court has temporarily halted the arrest of legislator Rahul Mamkoottathil, who is facing multiple rape allegations.

- Ashraf Padanna | AM Abdussalam

Justice K Babu granted him interim protection from arrest until the next hearing, scheduled for Dec.15, after the civic elections.

Sensing a setback in the elections, the Congress party had expelled Mamkoottathil after a lower court dismissed his bail application last week.

Justice Babu emphasised the importance of due process, stating, "During the pendency of the application, I will not permit his arrest because he has raised very serious contentions."

He acknowledged the gravity of the issues raised in the bail application, noting that the matter was under consideration by a constitutional court.

"No man shall be condemned unless heard," the judge observed.