Kottayam: The police have filed a chargesheet in the third rape case against former Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. The special investigation team (SIT) submitted the chargesheet in the Thiruvalla first class magistrate court, four months after the case was registered. The document includes digital evidence collected during the investigation.
Mamkootathil was arrested on January 10 based on a complaint filed by a 31-year-old Malayali woman residing abroad. He was later granted bail. The woman returned from abroad and gave her statement directly to the SIT, which strengthened the prosecution's case.
According to the prosecution, Mamkootathil befriended the complainant through social media in 2024 and allegedly gained her confidence. Police alleged that under the pretext of a private conversation, he persuaded her to book a room at a hotel in Thiruvalla. At the hotel, the former Palakkad MLA allegedly sexually assaulted the complainant.
The prosecution further alleged that when the woman later became pregnant and informed the accused, he intimidated her. The charges include rape, physical and mental abuse, and instigating an abortion. However, Rahul claims the relationship was consensual and has presented electronic evidence to support his claim.
Previously, Mamkootathil had two other rape cases registered against him. He was apprehended in the third case through a secret operation. In the earlier cases, he secured anticipatory bail from a district court in Thiruvananthapuram and from the Kerala High Court.
