Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was arrested in the early hours of Sunday in connection with a third rape complaint against him. This arrest marks a significant escalation in the legal issues faced by the former Youth Congress state president, who was expelled from the party after the first rape allegation. The State Crime Branch made the arrest around 12:30 a.m. in Palakkad following a fresh complaint received via email.
The new complaint, forwarded to the Crime Branch by the Chief Minister’s Office, led to the MLA’s prompt custody based on its contents. Mamkootathil was taken to the Crime Branch AR Camp in Pathanamthitta, where his arrest was officially recorded. The complainant accused him of rape and severe sexual assault in Thiruvalla, alleging brutal abuse that caused extreme physical and mental trauma.
The survivor also claimed that Mamkootathil coerced her into arranging the purchase of a flat in Palakkad and subjected her to financial exploitation. These new allegations add a different aspect to the case, bringing the total number of criminal cases against the MLA to three. Despite earlier legal protections, the emergence of this third complaint led to his arrest by the Crime Branch.
Following initial questioning at the AR Camp, the MLA is expected to appear before the Thiruvalla Magistrate Court on Sunday. Crime Branch officials may seek further custodial interrogation to verify the allegations and examine electronic evidence and financial transactions related to the complaint. The case has sparked significant political and public interest in Kerala, with calls for a thorough and fair investigation, ensuring adherence to the law and evidence-based examination of all allegations.
