Pre-arrest bail granted to 2nd accused in Mamkootathil sexual assault case

Thiruvananthapuram: The second accused in the case against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who is charged with sexually abusing a lady and coercing her into aborting her pregnancy, was granted anticipatory release by a court here on Saturday.

Judge Nazeera S of the Thiruvananthapuram Principal District and Sessions Court granted Joby Joseph, a close friend of Mamkootathil, pre-arrest bail.

Joseph is accused of having provided abortion pills to the victim, allegedly aborting the pregnancy on the instructions of Mamkootathil.

In his bail plea, Joseph denied the allegation that he had supplied pills to the woman, PTI reported.

However, the prosecution told the court that there was substantial evidence against him, including witness statements.

After hearing both sides, the court granted anticipatory bail to Joseph and directed him not to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.

He was also instructed to cooperate with the inquiry.

Mamkootathil, whose anticipatory bail plea was earlier rejected by the Sessions Court, has approached the Kerala High Court, which has directed that he should not be arrested until his petition is considered on January 7.

Mamkootathil is facing two cases related to the alleged sexual assault of women.