Pathanamthitta: In a fresh development in the rape case involving him, MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was remanded again by the court on Monday and shifted to the Mavelikkara Sub Jail. He was produced before the Pathanamthitta Magistrate Court by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) after the expiry of his police custody.
The SIT did not seek an extension of custody, citing Rahul’s continued non-cooperation during interrogation. The court had earlier granted three days of police custody for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.
Prior to being presented in court, Rahul Mamkootathil was taken to the General Hospital for a mandatory medical examination. Protests by youth organisation activists were reported at the hospital, following which the police deployed tight security to prevent any untoward incidents.
The court is set to consider the bail application filed by Rahul on Tuesday. Meanwhile, legal procedures to record the survivor’s confidential statement are progressing.
Investigators have also taken custody of Rahul’s mobile phone as part of the probe. However, the iPhone password was not provided, prompting the SIT to rope in cyber experts to conduct a detailed forensic examination of the device in an effort to retrieve crucial digital evidence.
