A Kerala court on Tuesday handed over expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil to the police for a three-day custody period in connection with a sexual assault investigation. The Judicial First Class Magisterial court in Thiruvalla cleared the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to interrogate the MLA, who was arrested this past Sunday in Palakkad.
The court appearance was marked by chaos as activists from the CPI(M) and the BJP's youth wings staged massive protests. Demonstrators gathered outside the jail, the Thiruvalla taluk hospital, and the court complex, waving placards that mocked the MLA and shouting slogans against him. At one point, as he was being escorted to a police vehicle, the situation turned physical when protesters pelted him with rotten eggs.
This latest arrest involves a third sexual assault case filed against the Palakkad MLA. While the Kerala High Court had previously shielded him from arrest in two prior cases, this new complaint was lodged on January 8 by a woman originally from Kottayam who is now living in Canada. She reportedly provided her testimony to investigators via video conference, detailing an ordeal that began in early 2024.
According to sources, the complainant met Mamkootathil while dealing with marital difficulties. She alleges that he raped her at a hotel in April 2024 under the pretence of a marriage proposal. The woman further told police that when she became pregnant, the MLA refused to take responsibility and allegedly pressured her into having an abortion. He currently faces charges under the Indian Penal Code for rape and criminal intimidation.
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