Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], December 12 (ANI): The investigation into the first alleged rape case against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil has been transferred to the Kerala State Police Crime Branch, with a special team led by Assistant Inspector General G Poonguzhali now probing the matter. Previously, the case was being investigated by the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner. With this transfer, both rape cases registered against the expelled Congress MLA will be consolidated under AIG Poonguzhali’s supervision. Officials stated that the move aims to centralise all emerging complaints under a single Special Investigation Team (SIT) should more survivors come forward.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday remarked that “more serious revelations” may emerge in the case involving Mamkootathil. Addressing reporters after casting his vote in Kannur during the local body elections, the Chief Minister noted that several women remain hesitant to share their experiences. Mamkootathil also cast his vote at a school in Kunnathurmedu.
The MLA faces multiple sexual assault allegations. The first case, filed in 2024, accuses him of alleged rape and coercion to terminate a pregnancy. The second complaint involves another woman who alleges sexual assault after he promised to marry her. According to her complaint, Mamkootathil called her to a homestay under the pretext of marriage, sexually assaulted her, and pressured her to conceive. She also alleged that Mamkootathil, along with his associate Fenni Nainan, forcibly drove her to the homestay for the assault.
The FIR, initially lodged at Nedumangad Valiyamala Police Station, was later transferred to Nemom Police Station, where the alleged incidents occurred. While Mamkootathil is currently absconding, the Kerala High Court on December 6 stayed his arrest. The bench of Justice K Babu, while considering his anticipatory bail plea, scheduled detailed arguments for December 15. The MLA had approached the High Court after the Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory bail application.
The charges against Mamkootathil include eight non-bailable sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, including Section 64 for rape, Section 64(2) for repeated rape, Section 64(f) for rape by a person in a position of trust, Section 64(h) for rape of a pregnant woman, Section 64(m) for repeated rape, Section 89 for causing miscarriage without consent, BNS 316 for criminal breach of trust, and Section 68(e) of the Information Technology Act for transmission of offensive digital content. The offences carry punishments ranging from ten years to life imprisonment.
The Congress party initially suspended and later expelled Mamkootathil in light of these allegations.
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