Kerala Police on Tuesday filed a charge sheet against Congress leader Rahul Mamkootathil in connection with a sexual assault case. The charge sheet, submitted before a court in Thiruvananthapuram, accuses Mamkootathil of sexually assaulting a woman during a trip to a hill station in 2020.
Details of the Case
The complainant, a woman from Kerala, alleged that Mamkootathil, who was then a member of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, sexually assaulted her during a visit to Munnar in 2020. She claimed that he promised to marry her and later retracted. The police investigation led to the filing of the charge sheet under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to sexual assault and criminal breach of trust.
Political Implications
The case has drawn significant political attention, with opposition parties demanding Mamkootathil's immediate resignation from party posts. The Congress party has stated that it will wait for the legal process to conclude before taking any action. Mamkootathil has denied all allegations, calling them politically motivated.
Legal Proceedings
The court is expected to take cognizance of the charge sheet and schedule the next hearing. Mamkootathil's legal team has indicated that they will seek bail and challenge the charges. The prosecution has gathered statements from multiple witnesses and electronic evidence to support the case.
Background
Rahul Mamkootathil is a known Congress leader from Kerala, having served as the state youth Congress president. He has been active in politics for over a decade. The case came to light in late 2023 when the complainant approached the police. The investigation took several months, with the police recording statements and collecting evidence before filing the charge sheet.
The charge sheet runs into over 200 pages, detailing the sequence of events and evidence. The police have also included WhatsApp chats and call records as part of the evidence. The case is likely to be tried in a fast-track court given the sensitivity of the allegations.
