Pathanamthitta, 16 Jan (HS):

The local court in Thiruvalla is set to hear the bail application of MLA Rahul Mankootathil, who is currently in judicial custody in connection with a rape case, later today. The court is expected to conduct detailed arguments from both sides before arriving at a decision on the plea.

According to legal sources, the court will consider the progress of the investigation and examine a detailed report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case. The prosecution is likely to oppose the bail request, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the stage of the investigation.

Investigators are expected to inform the court that the accused has not been fully cooperating with questioning and other investigative procedures. The SIT had earlier taken Rahul Mankootathil into police custody for interrogation and conducted an evidence collection exercise at the hotel in Thiruvalla where the alleged sexual assault is said to have taken place. During this process, the police reportedly identified the specific room linked to the incident and documented material evidence as part of the case file.

Following the completion of the police custody period, Rahul Mankootathil was produced before the court on Tuesday. The court subsequently ordered that he be remanded to the Mavelikkara sub-jail, where he is currently lodged pending further judicial proceedings.

Meanwhile, procedural steps to record the survivor’s confidential statement are progressing, officials said. The statement, which will be recorded before a magistrate, is considered a crucial part of the investigation and is expected to play a significant role during subsequent stages of the trial.

As part of the probe, the SIT has also taken custody of the accused’s mobile phones for forensic examination. Investigators noted that while the phones, including an iPhone, were seized, the accused did not share the device passcodes. The investigation team has therefore decided to seek the assistance of cyber forensic experts to conduct a detailed analysis of the devices to retrieve potential digital evidence, including call records, messages, and location data.

The outcome of today’s bail hearing is being closely watched, as the court’s decision will depend on the investigation report, the arguments presented by the prosecution and defence, and the overall assessment of whether granting bail could affect the ongoing probe.

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman