Tension gripped Nilambur as police arrested Rahul Mamkootathil, the once-prominent Congress MLA now stripped of his party ticket, in a high-profile sexual harassment investigation. The Friday evening operation followed a court-monitored probe that exposed alleged predatory behavior by the politician.
Key to the case is the testimony of a constituent who claimed Mamkootathil subjected her to explicit messages and physical overtures under the guise of constituency work. Call records and messages recovered from devices substantiated her claims, overriding his earlier bail.
Expulsion from Congress came after the party’s disciplinary committee found merit in the charges, fracturing his 20-year political career. Kerala Chief Minister’s office has urged a fair and fast-tracked trial, reflecting public outrage over delays in such cases.
Women’s organizations have mobilized, demanding exemplary punishment to deter similar offenses. Meanwhile, Mamkootathil’s camp alleges a conspiracy by political adversaries ahead of elections.
As he spends his first night in custody, the case serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in Indian politics and the slow but steady push for gender justice. Further arrests among associates are not ruled out, per police sources.