Woman files complaint with CM; Rahul Mamkootathil goes into hiding, likely to be arrested soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rahul Mamkootathil MLA landed in serious trouble after a young woman from Thiruvananthapuram approached the Chief Minister with digital evidence and filed a sexual harassment complaint. The Chief Minister immediately summoned Crime Branch chief H Venkatesh and handed over the complaint. Soon after, Thiruvananthapuram Rural SP KS Sudarshan recorded the woman’s statement.

A case with non-bailable charges will be registered against Rahul soon, and his arrest is likely. Rahul is expected to move the High Court today seeking anticipatory bail. His phone has been switched off since the complaint was filed, and he has not been traced yet. His MLA office in Palakkad remains locked.

Although the Congress party has suspended him, Rahul was actively involved in the Congress campaign for the local body elections. The woman reportedly filed the complaint yesterday while Rahul was campaigning in Kannadi, Palakkad. After learning about the complaint, Rahul went into hiding. Despite leaders repeatedly claiming the party has no connection with him, the UDF is expected to face tough questions during the election season.

The complaint includes multiple allegations: sexual harassment, forcing her to undergo an abortion, and issuing death threats. The woman submitted WhatsApp chats, voice messages, photos, and medical reports as evidence. Since one voice clip allegedly contains a threat saying “it won’t take long to finish you,” a case for attempted murder will also be filed.

The woman reached the Chief Minister’s Office around 4:15 pm on Thursday with another woman and explained everything in detail. She had a written complaint prepared. She left the office at 4:50 pm. The Chief Minister tried to contact State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar, but he was out of station. Crime Branch chief Venkatesh reached the CM's office around 5:30 pm and received the complaint.

Following a meeting at the Crime Branch headquarters, the police immediately began recording the complainant's statement. After registering the FIR, the woman’s confidential statement will be recorded in court. The woman had earlier tried to approach Cliff House to give the complaint, but she was directed to the CMO instead.

Earlier, the woman was unwilling to file a formal complaint or statement against Rahul. She had also shown no interest in legal action. Police even conducted an inquiry at the private hospital in Bengaluru where she reportedly underwent an abortion, but nothing materialised. The investigation had come to a standstill until this sudden turn of events. The case is now being handled by Thiruvananthapuram Range DySP C. Binu Kumar, and the investigation team may be expanded.

No statements recorded in first case

In August, a case was registered against Rahul for allegedly harassing women through social media, causing mental distress, and sending messages forcing them to undergo an abortion. However, the police could not trace the victims to record their statements. The charges included Sections 78(2) and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 120(o) of the Police Act, which carry up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine. All complainants in that case were third parties.

“I have done nothing wrong. I will prove the truth before the people’s court.”

- Rahul, in a Facebook post

“The party is not with Rahul. Let the law take its course.”

- Sunny Joseph, KPCC President