The Kerala Police have registered a case under non-bailable sections against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil after a woman accused him of sexually abusing her under the pretext of marriage and coercing her into terminating a pregnancy. The case, initially filed at the Valiyamala police station, was later transferred to the Nemom station for further investigation.
According to the complaint, the woman met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday evening and submitted a detailed account of alleged sexual abuse, threats, and forced abortion. The Chief Minister’s Office immediately handed over the complaint to Law and Order ADGP H. Venkatesh, following which the police recorded the woman’s statement and registered the FIR.
The FIR states that Rahul allegedly abused the woman on three separate occasions in Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad after promising marriage and that the acts were secretly recorded. When she became pregnant, the MLA allegedly pressured her to terminate the pregnancy, telling her it would affect his political prospects. She told investigators that she was forced to take abortion pills without a medical prescription and suffered severe bleeding. The complaint further alleges that when she resisted, she was blackmailed using the videotaped incidents.
The woman is said to have produced audio, video and text message evidence to support her complaint. Police officials confirmed that a lookout notice has been issued to prevent the MLA from leaving the country. Thiruvananthapuram Rural SP S. Sudarshan is currently leading the investigation, though the case may be transferred to the Crime Branch or to a special team headed by a woman IPS officer.
The complaint marks a significant setback for the Congress ahead of the local body elections. The developments have also deepened internal discord within the party, where senior leaders are divided over Mamkootathil’s future.
This is not the first allegation faced by the MLA. An SIT had previously registered a case based on third-party complaints of cyberstalking, though the investigation stalled as the victim did not file a formal complaint. Earlier, an actress had also alleged that the MLA misbehaved with her, after which several sexual harassment accusations surfaced, ultimately leading to his suspension from the Youth Congress.
Despite the controversies, the local body election campaign saw Mamkootathil re-emerge publicly as he canvassed for Congress candidates in Palakkad. While the party did not involve him in organisational meetings, certain leaders, including MP K. Sudhakaran, had indicated support for his return to active politics.
Following news of the latest FIR, Rahul Mamkootathil posted on Facebook claiming innocence and stating that he would prove his case legally.
(Source: The New Indian Express)
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