Pathanamthitta: Former Congress leader and MLA Rahul Mamkootathil has been arrested in connection with the third sexual harassment complaint filed against him. A special police team took Mamkootathil into custody from a hotel in Palakkad at around 12:30 AM on Sunday. The arrest was formally recorded shortly afterward.
Following the arrest, he was brought to the Pathanamthitta AR Camp. The police team, which included female officers, arrived at the hotel where Rahul was staying around midnight to take him into custody. The arrest followed a complaint filed by a married woman from Thiruvalla, currently residing in Canada.
What is the complaint from the woman in Canada?
According to the victim’s statement, she became acquainted with Rahul through social media. She alleged that Rahul had taken money and valuables from her. She further stated that when she suggested meeting, Rahul chose a hotel room instead of a restaurant. Upon reaching the room, he allegedly assaulted her and said, “Let’s have a baby.”
The complainant also stated that when she informed him about her pregnancy, he reacted angrily and insulted her, saying the child could be someone else’s. Although she suffered a miscarriage, the woman claimed to have preserved evidence and undergone a DNA test. She also alleged that Rahul threatened to harm her father if she revealed the matter to anyone. The relevant evidence has been handed over to the investigating team.
Legal Action
The police have leveled the following charges against the MLA: sexual harassment, causing miscarriage (abortion), and financial exploitation. This action was taken after the victim sent a complaint via email, and the police recorded her detailed statement via video conferencing. Following the statement, the police closely monitored the MLA’s movements. An inquiry is underway, led by IG Punguzhali. The police have seized Rahul’s mobile phone. A seven-member team led by a Deputy SP took him into custody. He is expected to be produced before a magistrate later today.
What are the previous cases?
Rahul Mamkootathil had previously obtained anticipatory bail in two other cases. With this new complaint, he now faces a total of three cases. The first case (Nemom Police Station): Registered on charges of allegedly raping a woman after promising marriage and forcing her to undergo an abortion. The High Court had stayed his arrest in this case until January 21, 2026. The second case: Filed by another woman, in which he had already obtained anticipatory bail from a trial court. The third case (January 11, 2026): The current arrest relates to a complaint filed by an NRI woman in Pathanamthitta.
Following the initial rape allegations, the Congress party had earlier expelled him from its primary membership. Meanwhile, Rahul Mamkootathil maintains that the allegations are politically motivated and that the relationships were consensual.
