Third sexual assault case: Court issues production warrant for Rahul Mamkootathil; SIT seeks custody

Pathanamthitta: The Thiruvalla Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Monday issued a production warrant for MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in connection with the third sexual assault case against him. The court has directed the police to produce him in person on Tuesday.

The prosecution requested seven days of custody, stating it was necessary to collect further evidence. Mamkootathil’s defence team sought bail. The magistrate indicated that the final decision on bail would be taken only after the custody plea is heard.

Media reports said the magistrate also questioned how bail could be considered without the investigation officer’s report. The decision on custody and subsequent consideration of the bail plea will be taken after Mamkootathil appears in court.

Details of the allegations

The latest case follows a complaint lodged on January 8 by a woman from Kottayam district, who is currently in Canada. She provided her statement to police via video conference.

Sources said the married woman met Mamkootathil in 2024 after facing difficulties in her marital life. She alleged that he raped her at a hotel in April 2024, promising to marry her.

The remand report submitted to the magistrate states that Mamkootathil told the woman he required a private space to discuss personal matters and invited her to a hotel room in Thiruvalla on April 8, 2024. The report says she "was brutally raped in the afternoon".

Police said that when the woman later became pregnant, Mamkootathil allegedly refused to take responsibility and threatened her to undergo an abortion. She also claimed he took money from her on several occasions.

The report further alleges that Mamkootathil misused his official position and targeted several housewives and unmarried women.