The complainant alleged that the MLA threatened her family members, physically assaulted her, and took a large amount of money from her.
Published Jan 11, 2026 | 9:29 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 11, 2026 | 3:27 PM
Rahul Mamkootathil. (Facebook)
Synopsis: Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was taken into police custody after a fresh complaint accusing him of rape and abetment of abortion. The police said the case was registered after a young woman complained by email to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This is the third complaint filed against the Palakkad MLA.
Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was taken into police custody early on Sunday, 11 January, after a fresh complaint accusing him of rape and abetment of abortion.
The arrest was made around 12.30 am from a hotel in Palakkad. The police said the case was registered after a young woman complained by email to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This is the third complaint filed against the Palakkad MLA.
Her statement was recorded by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the sexual assault allegations against the MLA, who was expelled by the Congress.
A team led by the Shoranur Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) detained the MLA from his hotel room when no personal staff were present.
Mamkootathil had been in Palakkad for two days and had attended temple-related programmes. The room where he stayed has been sealed, and he is being taken to Thiruvananthapuram for further legal procedures.
Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer said that the details of Mamkootathil’s case would be referred to the Privileges and Ethics Committee after consultations with legal experts to consider the possibility of disqualifying the MLA. He added that allowing an MLA facing continuous allegations to continue in office would send a negative message to society.
Meanwhile, Mamkootathil denied the allegations while also admitting that he knew the woman. DYFI and Yuva Morcha workers staged protests against him in front of the Pathanamthitta General Hospital, where he was taken for a medical examination.
Later, Mamkootathil was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody after his arrest in a third rape case.
He will be lodged at the Mavelikkara Special Sub-Jail.
A seven-member Crime Branch team has taken custody of the MLA’s mobile phones as part of the probe. Police sources said that the arrest was formally recorded on Sunday after Rahul was brought to the AR Camp in Pathanamthitta. After interrogation, he is expected to be produced before the Thiruvalla Magistrate.
G Poonkuzhali IPS, who is leading the Crime Branch team probing the rape allegations, reached the AR Camp at around 6.45 am on Sunday to oversee the investigation. Following the detention, the investigation team formally informed Mamkootathil’s lawyers about the arrest.
In her statement, the woman alleged that Rahul raped her after promising marriage. Similar to the earlier complaints, she claimed that she was forced to undergo an abortion and was humiliated after informing him about her pregnancy.
The complainant further alleged that the MLA threatened her family members, physically assaulted her, and took a large amount of money from her, which was allegedly used to buy costly watches, footwear and beauty products.
According to her, a DNA test of the foetus was conducted to establish paternity. Police sources said evidence, including details of meetings between the survivor and the MLA, as well as financial transactions, has been collected.
According to sources, the woman is a native of Thiruvalla and is currently residing abroad. Her statement was earlier recorded through video conferencing. She is expected to arrive in Kerala on Sunday or Monday to submit additional evidence to the investigation team.
The Crime Branch has not yet issued an official statement confirming the arrest.
The Crime Branch SIT, in its remand report, said Mamkootathil misused his official position to sexually exploit multiple women. The report states that in the latest case, registered on a complaint by a woman from Thiruvalla, the MLA allegedly contacted her through social media, gained her trust by promising marriage, and lured her to a hotel on 8 April 2024, where he allegedly raped her.
The SIT described the MLA as a habitual offender, noting that he is accused in other cases under the BNS and the IT Act.
The report warned that his political influence could be used to threaten survivors, influence witnesses, or destroy evidence, citing instances of intimidation and cyber harassment faced by complainants in earlier cases.
Mamkootathil allegedly came into contact with the survivor through social media when she was facing marital difficulties. According to her complaint, he persuaded her to divorce her husband and later promised to marry her. She told investigators that Rahul refused to cooperate when she sought a DNA test after becoming pregnant, despite insisting earlier that he wanted a child.
The woman alleged that Rahul arranged to meet her at a hotel, citing his position as an MLA as a reason to avoid public places. She stated that he assaulted and sexually abused her there.
She further claimed that he continued the act despite her objections and later subjected her to verbal abuse, denied paternity, and pressured her to terminate the pregnancy. She said the harassment and threats caused severe mental distress and physical trauma.
According to her statement, Rahul later cut off all contact after she informed him about the miscarriage. She also alleged financial exploitation, claiming she provided him with money and expensive gifts, and that he pressured her to purchase a flat in Palakkad.
The woman said she was threatened when she decided to pursue legal action.
(With inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
