In Kerala, just ahead of the upcoming Assembly session, the Crime Branch police have taken a big step. They filed an FIR (First Information Report) against Rahul Mamkootathil, a former Youth Congress leader and Palakkad MLA, amid serious allegations. These include sexual harassment, stalking, and intimidating women.
The FIR was filed in the Thiruvananthapuram court. According to police, Rahul Mamkootathil is accused of harassing women on social media, sending threatening messages, and even pressuring one woman to have an abortion. He has been booked under several charges, including sections related to harassment and coercion.
This case started after police received complaints from five individuals, who are not directly linked to the women involved. While the women who are allegedly victims haven’t filed formal complaints yet, police say they will record their statements if evidence surfaces. The Crime Branch has already questioned advocate Shino, one of the complainants, and plans to speak to journalists who shared information about the case on Facebook.
Investigators have also traced one of the abortion incidents to a hospital in Bengaluru. They have collected information from there and are planning to record the woman’s statement who reportedly underwent an abortion. There are also indications that another woman might have had an abortion with help from a relative, but these claims are still under investigation.
The police took action on their own after noticing repeated harassment of women through digital platforms. They allege Rahul Mamkootathil threatened women over phone calls and sent coercive messages related to abortion.
As the court case progresses, police say further action will depend on the testimonies and evidence provided by the women involved. Meanwhile, Rahul Mamkootathil has been suspended from the Congress party. The party and the public are watching closely to see how the situation develops, especially amid concerns that some believe the case may be politically motivated.
This controversy comes at a time when opposition parties, led by Congress, are gearing up to challenge the government headed by Chief Minister Vijayan over various issues, including perceived mismanagement. The case continues to make headlines as authorities gather more evidence and seek clarity on the allegations.
