In a significant development, Kerala Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil was taken into custody on Sunday and subsequently sent to judicial remand. This marks the third rape case registered against the 36-year-old Palakkad MLA, following a swift police operation initiated after direct intervention from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Swift Police Action After CM's Intervention
The arrest culminated a dramatic police operation set in motion after the complainant, a 31-year-old woman, sent a voice message on January 8 expressing fear for her family's safety. This prompted urgent directions from Chief Minister Vijayan. Police sources revealed that the initial plan to wait for the woman's return from abroad to record her statement before a magistrate was dropped due to the perceived urgency.
The state police chief approved the operation around 8 pm on Saturday. Officers moved quickly to pre-empt any potential bail application by the MLA. Crime Branch units in Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts registered the case, which pertains to an alleged assault at a hotel in Thiruvalla on April 8, 2024.
The Arrest and Evidence Collection
In the early hours of Sunday, at around 12:30 am, a police team arrested Mamkootathil from a hotel in Palakkad. He was then taken to the Armed Reserve Camp in Pathanamthitta for detailed questioning. His formal arrest was recorded at 7:30 am.
During the procedure, investigators stated that the MLA refused to unlock his mobile phone. Police seized the device and also conducted a potency test and collected blood samples for DNA analysis. The prosecution argued in court that the legislator, if released, could intimidate the complainants, influence witnesses, and tamper with evidence. The court agreed and remanded him to judicial custody.
Political Fallout and Party's Stance
The Congress party swiftly distanced itself from the embattled MLA following the arrest. Senior party leader K Muraleedharan stated that Mamkootathil had been removed from the party after the initial allegations surfaced. "After that, he is no longer our responsibility, and the party is not answerable for anything," Muraleedharan asserted.
Police have accused the MLA of exploiting his official position to sexually abuse women. This arrest adds to the growing list of serious charges against the first-time legislator, casting a shadow over his political career and prompting a major controversy in the state.
