Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 4 (NationPress) — On Thursday, a Thiruvananthapuram court rejected the anticipatory bail request of first-term Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil after a two-day hearing focused on the high-profile sexual assault allegations against him.

Following the court's decision, state Congress President Sunny Joseph issued a statement confirming Mamkootathil's expulsion from the party. This day marks a year since Mamkootathil took his oath as an MLA.

The court's ruling comes as Mamkootathil remains untraceable for the eighth consecutive day, escalating the political and legal turmoil surrounding the Congress in Kerala.

Law enforcement has been actively searching for him after a young woman accused him of sexual exploitation and pressuring her to end a pregnancy.

Mamkootathil has strongly denied these claims, labeling them as fabricated and politically motivated.

His ongoing absence — despite multiple police notices — has drawn public ire and allowed political adversaries to allege that he is avoiding justice.

Investigators report that he left his home in Palakkad shortly after the complaint was filed and has since changed vehicles frequently, complicating their ability to track him.

The BJP and ruling LDF accused the Congress of providing him with shelter, an accusation the party leaders have categorically denied, asserting they promptly forwarded the complaint to the police.

During the bail proceedings, Mamkootathil's defense team contended that the complaint lacked medical and forensic support and was part of a broader political scheme.

The prosecution countered that custodial interrogation was necessary to recover digital evidence, verify communication logs, and resolve discrepancies in testimonies.

The court sided with the prosecution, stating that granting anticipatory bail would hinder a thorough investigation.

This incident represents a significant low point for the Congress, with the case emerging just months before a critical electoral period.

Senior party strategists are privately concerned that this prolonged scandal could tarnish their reputation, especially among younger and female voters.

Equipped with the court's denial of bail, police are likely to escalate their efforts to locate and apprehend the MLA.

Top officials have indicated that they are considering lookout notices and enhanced digital tracking methods, though they refrained from discussing specific operational strategies.

Legal experts suggest that the court's ruling significantly limits Mamkootathil's options, leaving him with the choices of surrendering, seeking relief from a higher court, or continuing to evade authorities — each with its political implications.

As the search enters its eighth day with no confirmed sightings, this case remains one of the most politically charged investigations in the state in recent years, with the Congress facing increasing pressure to distance itself and show transparency as the inquiry enters a critical phase.

Congress MP and convenor Adoor Prakash stated to the media that following the court's ruling, they complied with the state chief's directive, leading to Mamkootathil's ouster from the party.

"Whether to resign or not is his personal choice; we are not involved in that decision," he remarked.