Expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil arrested in third sexual assault case

Expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch late Saturday night (January 10) in connection with a third sexual assault case. He was taken into custody from a hotel room in Palakkad.

Also read | Kerala court rejects Rahul Mamkootathil's bail plea in rape case; Congress expels MLA

According to sources, the third complaint was lodged by an NRI professional working abroad, who emailed the Crime Branch last week. She appeared online before the SIT on Friday and recorded her statement. Based on her testimony, the SIT decided to proceed with the arrest.

Fresh sexual assault allegations

According to the third complainant, Mamkoottathil began a relationship with her when she was facing serious domestic problems. She alleged that he asked her to meet him at a hotel in Palakkad during her vacation, where he sexually assaulted her. The complaint states that he told her he wanted her to become pregnant.

She has further alleged that Mamkoottathil took money from her for his personal expenses. He allegedly promised to marry her after her divorce was finalised, but withdrew from the commitment after she became pregnant. The complainant has told the police that she preserved the DNA sample of the foetus and is willing to undergo a DNA test to establish the child’s parentage. She has also informed the investigators that she is ready to travel to Kerala to give her statement in person.

The complaint further states that Mamkoottathil physically assaulted her when she insisted that he marry her. It also alleges that when the earlier cases against the MLA became public, he tried to convince her that the complainants were fictitious and that the allegations were politically motivated.

Investigators are now examining communication records, travel details and medical documents related to the complaint. “The pattern is the same. This woman also had family issues and he allegedly took advantage of her vulnerability,” a police source told The Federal.

Legal battle enters new phase

This is the third sexual assault case registered against the MLA. In the first case, registered last year, the complainant, a television journalist, accused Mamkoottathil of rape and forcing her to undergo an abortion after she became pregnant. The Kerala High Court had stayed his arrest in that case until January 21, while allowing the investigation to continue.

In the second case, another woman, who lives outside Kerala, accused the MLA of rape. He was granted anticipatory bail by the court, subject to conditions including cooperation with the investigation.

Also read | Rahul Mamkoottathil admits relationship in anticipatory bail plea; denies coercion

Investigators are expected to examine similarities between the three complaints, including timelines, locations and digital evidence. The Crime Branch is also likely to question the MLA about his contacts with the complainant, the nature of their relationship, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged pregnancy and abortion.

Mamkoottathil has denied the allegations in the earlier cases and has maintained that he has not committed any crime.

Further legal proceedings will depend on the court’s decision on police custody and bail in the third case.

First complainant’s emotional post

Meanwhile, following Mamkoottathil’s arrest, the woman who had first lodged a complaint against him posted an emotional message on her social media account on Sunday.

In her post, she expressed gratitude to God for giving her the courage to speak out despite the pain, judgement and betrayal she said she had endured. She stated that what was done in secrecy had been seen, and that cries which never reached the world had been heard.

She said faith had held the victims together at times when their bodies were violated and when their unborn babies were forcibly taken away. The reference was made against the backdrop of allegations that Mamkoottathil had also forced the victim in the third case to abort her pregnancy.

Also read | Congress under fire, attempts to deflect heat over Mamkoottathil scandal

She further stated that forgiveness was sought from the unborn children, particularly for trusting the wrong individuals and for choosing a man unworthy of being their father. She added that the souls of the aborted babies should rest in peace, free from violence, fear and from a world that failed to protect victims.

She also conveyed that the unborn children had never been forgotten, that their existence and spirit mattered, and that mothers would continue to carry them in their hearts until they were reunited.

The author of the post was the first to approach the police with a complaint alleging that she was sexually assaulted multiple times and was forced to abort her pregnancy.