Tension gripped Kerala’s political corridors as the High Court in Kochi granted protection from arrest to Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, accused in a shocking rape case by a fellow activist. The order, passed on Monday, stalls aggressive police pursuit and sets the stage for a detailed judicial review.
The allegations surfaced dramatically when the 35-year-old woman lodged a complaint at Thrissur Town Police Station, recounting an assault during a Congress youth wing event. She described being lured into a secluded area under false pretenses, followed by the assault and subsequent blackmail using compromising photos.
Mamkootathil, known for his fiery speeches against the Pinarayi Vijayan government, countered with a counter-affidavit claiming fabrication. He pointed to the complainant’s past disputes with party leadership and suggested external forces were engineering the scandal to tarnish his image ahead of elections.
The High Court, in a nuanced ruling, emphasized the need for proportionality in arrests. Justice Edappagath remarked on the absence of concrete evidence warranting custody and warned against misuse of rape laws for personal vendettas. Conditions attached include daily reporting to police and a gag on media interactions.
Reactions poured in swiftly. Congress high command urged restraint, while LDF ministers decried it as judicial overreach favoring the elite. Feminist organizations protested outside the court, holding placards demanding ‘zero tolerance for rapists in power.’
This stay order highlights systemic challenges: from delayed justice in sexual offense cases to the intersection of politics and crime. As investigation deepens with cyber forensics and medical reports, the truth may emerge. For now, Mamkootathil avoids handcuffs, but the shadow of suspicion lingers over his career.