The Kerala Police on Friday, November 28, 2025, registered a First Information Report (FIR) against suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil (representing the Palakkad constituency) on serious charges including rape, forced abortion, and criminal breach of trust.
The dramatic development follows a formal, direct complaint filed by the survivor to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at his office on Thursday. The woman also submitted substantial digital evidence, including WhatsApp chats and audio recordings that purportedly show the MLA insisting on sexual intercourse, wanting a baby, and later threatening and coercing her into terminating the pregnancy.
Non-Bailable Charges and Suspension
The FIR has been filed under multiple non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act, including:
- BNS Section 64 (Rape)
- BNS Section 89 (Forcing a woman to undergo miscarriage/abortion)
- IT Act Section 64 E (Capturing nudity of a person without consent)
The police have also booked an acquaintance of the MLA, Joby Joseph, for allegedly supplying abortion pills to the woman without a proper medical prescription, leading to charges under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
The investigation was fast-tracked after the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) promptly handed the complaint and evidence over to the State Police Chief. Following a detailed statement from the survivor, the case was officially registered and subsequently transferred to the Nemom police station for further proceedings.
Political Fallout and MLA's Response
The allegations against Rahul Mamkootathil have plagued the Congress party since August 2025, when multiple accusations of sexual misconduct and stalking first surfaced, prompting his resignation as the Youth Congress state president.
- Party Action: The Congress party had suspended Mamkootathil from its primary membership in August following the initial wave of allegations.
- MLA's Stance: In the wake of the latest development and the registration of the FIR, the MLA shut down his Palakkad office and reportedly remained incommunicado. He has consistently denied the allegations, posting on social media that he would resort to legal remedy and prove his innocence in the court of law.
- Political Repercussions: The timing of the FIR, just ahead of the local body elections in December, has put the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) on the defensive, with rival parties demanding the immediate arrest of the suspended legislator.
The police have begun procedures for the MLA's arrest, while his legal team is reportedly seeking anticipatory bail.
