In significant relief for expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, the Kerala High Court on Saturday ordered that he cannot be arrested until his anticipatory bail plea is fully considered. The court has posted the matter for hearing on December 15.

The interim protection applies specifically to the first case registered against him, in which he has been accused of rape and forcing the complainant to undergo an abortion without her consent.

Justice K Babu, issuing the interim order, stated: “The petitioner shall not be arrested during the pendency."

The order comes two days after a Thiruvananthapuram sessions court rejected Mamkootathil’s pre-arrest bail plea. Following that setback, the Congress expelled him from its primary membership amid mounting criticism and political pressure.

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