In a significant development, former Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil was arrested by the Kerala Police late Saturday night in connection with a fresh sexual assault case registered against him in Palakkad. The arrest marks a new turn in the series of legal troubles facing the expelled politician.
Midnight Arrest and Police Custody
According to police sources, Mamkootathil was taken into custody from a hotel in Palakkad at midnight on Saturday. Following his detention, he was initially moved to the AR Camp located in Pathanamthitta district. Officials stated that he was shifted to a police camp in the area on Sunday morning.
The police action follows the registration of a third sexual assault case against the Palakkad MLA. This latest complaint was filed by a woman who is a native of Pathanamthitta district. The investigation into this new allegation has been handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is already probing two other cases of a similar nature against Mamkootathil.
Legal Background and Previous Protections
The legal landscape for Mamkootathil involves multiple layers. In the first case, which involves serious allegations of rape and forcing a woman to undergo an abortion, the Kerala High Court had earlier granted him interim protection from arrest. This shield, however, did not cover new cases being filed.
For the second case, a sessions court in Thiruvananthapuram had granted him anticipatory bail. The latest arrest pertains specifically to the third case, for which no such protective order was in place at the time of the police action.
Political Repercussions and Next Steps
The political fallout has been swift and severe. Following the emergence of the initial allegations, the Congress party expelled Rahul Mamkootathil from its ranks, distancing itself from the legislator. His arrest now adds a legal dimension to his political isolation.
Police officials confirmed that after necessary interrogation, the MLA will be produced before the Thiruvalla Magistrate for legal proceedings related to the latest case. The SIT's broadening mandate to investigate all three cases indicates a consolidated probe into the multiple allegations against the former lawmaker.
The developments have drawn significant public attention in Kerala, highlighting issues of accountability and legal process for elected representatives. The case continues to unfold as the SIT delves deeper into the complaints.
