In a dramatic late-night operation, Kerala police arrested expelled Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil from a hotel in Palakkad on Saturday. The arrest pertains to a third case of rape and alleged forced abortion registered against the former Youth Congress state president.
Details of the Latest Allegations and Arrest
The latest case was filed based on a complaint by a woman from Pathanamthitta district. According to police, Mamkootathil allegedly invited the married woman to a hotel, raped her, and later forced her to undergo an abortion. The arrest was executed swiftly from the Palakkad hotel, preventing the MLA from evading capture as he had reportedly done in the past. Following his detention, he was taken to Pathanamthitta where his arrest was formally recorded.
This development is significant as it comes despite the MLA having secured court-granted protection from arrest in two previous, similar cases. The first case was registered early last month, involving allegations of raping a married woman and forcing an abortion. Shortly after, a second woman came forward with accusations of sexual abuse dating back to 2023.
Legal Proceedings in Previous Cases
In the first case, the Kerala High Court recently allowed the complainant to implead in Mamkootathil's pre-arrest bail application. The court is set to reconsider this application on January 21. For the second case, a district court in Thiruvananthapuram had granted him relief from arrest. The latest arrest underscores the serious and escalating nature of the legal challenges facing the disgraced politician.
Political Fallout and Background
Rahul Mamkootathil, once a prominent figure as the Kerala state president of the Youth Congress, has faced severe political repercussions. The Congress party has already expelled him following the barrage of serious allegations. His arrest in this third case signals a turning point, demonstrating that legal protections in other matters did not shield him from apprehension in a fresh, independent investigation.
The case has sent shockwaves through Kerala's political landscape, raising questions about accountability and the handling of serious criminal allegations against public representatives. As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will be on the courts to deliver justice in these grave matters.
