Sexual assault complaint: Congress says law will decide amid wreath protest, march demanding Mamkootathil’s resignation

Kerala Police intensified action on Thursday after a woman met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today and filed a detailed sexual harassment complaint against suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, prompting immediate protests by DYFI and BJP workers in Palakkad.

Kerala Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar said the complaint has been transferred to Crime Branch Chief H Venkitesh for further investigation.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the woman met the Chief Minister today and submitted chat messages, voice recordings and other digital material as evidence of sexual harassment.

Earlier, the Crime Branch had registered a case based on an email from five third-party complainants. The investigation stalled because the woman did not provide a statement at the time, though police had traced her. Officials had said her testimony was required for stronger charges.

With her formal complaint recorded today, the inquiry will now move forward.

Mamkootathil, who was suspended from Congress months ago over separate misconduct allegations, told reporters in Palakkad that he had been “fully cooperating” and would “move legally,” insisting he had “never violated any law.”

Protest at MLA’s office

Soon after the woman met the Chief Minister, DYFI activists reached Mamkootathil’s Palakkad office. They placed a wreath at the entrance to demand his resignation.

A strong police team blocked their entry, leading to a brief scuffle.

BJP workers later arrived and joined the protest outside the closed office.

Reports said MLA had switched off his phone and shut the office after the complaint was filed.

What triggered today’s unrest

Tension escalated after an audio clip allegedly linked to the MLA — involving conversations on pregnancy and abortion — surfaced.

Following this, the woman met the Chief Minister today and submitted audio files and WhatsApp chats as part of her complaint.

Congress responds to the complaint

Congress leaders said the matter must follow legal process.

AICC leader Deepa Dasmunsi said Mamkootathil had already been suspended and that “law will take its course”, though she added that the complainant “should have gone to the police station” instead of the CM. She said the party cannot comment on someone suspended months ago.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph said earlier allegations had been discussed and that further legal steps should proceed.

K Muraleedharan said it was good that the Chief Minister met the complainant “at least now”, suggesting election season had brought “kindness towards survivors.”

Palakkad MP Shafi Parambil said, “If there is a complaint, let the legal process proceed.”

UDF convenor Adoor Prakash said such cases often appear close to elections and alleged that attempts were being made to register “fake cases.” He said he had seen similar situations in his career.

CPM and BJP attack the Congress

CPM state secretary M V Govindan demanded the MLA’s immediate resignation, calling the suspension “eyewash”. Education Minister V Sivankutty posted “We care” on Facebook.

Former BJP state president K Surendran said several women had earlier raised complaints and demanded Mamkootathil’s arrest, accusing Congress of double standards on women’s safety.