Pathanamthitta: Kerala Police have registered a case against Fenni Ninan, a Youth Congress leader and close associate of expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, for allegedly revealing the identity of a woman whose complaint led to the legislator’s arrest in a sexual assault case.

According to police sources, the Pathanamthitta cyber police booked Ninan under non-bailable sections, accusing him of disclosing the complainant’s identity and posting objectionable content on social media platforms. The case reportedly stems from a Facebook post shared by Ninan on Friday.

Denying the allegations, Ninan claimed that he neither revealed the victim’s identity nor made any obscene remarks. “Anyone who has read my posts will understand that I neither revealed the complainant's identity nor made any obscene remarks about her,” he said, describing the police action as political persecution. He added that he would seek bail and approach the Kerala High Court to challenge the legal validity of the FIR.

Disputed social media posts and WhatsApp chats trigger legal action

A day earlier, Ninan had shared screenshots of alleged WhatsApp conversations, claiming they were exchanges between him and the victim. He used the posts to level counter-allegations, stating that the woman had contacted him in October 2025 seeking assistance to meet Rahul Mamkootathil.

However, the woman responded publicly on Friday by releasing an audio clip, contesting Ninan’s version of events. She alleged that it was Ninan who initially contacted her through Instagram, gradually gaining her trust.

According to the woman, only selective portions of their chats were shared online to create a misleading narrative. She claimed that Ninan advised her not to disclose details of her relationship with Mamkootathil and reassured her that there was no other woman involved.

She further alleged that Ninan was informed that Mamkootathil had denied responsibility regarding her pregnancy and later blocked her from contacting him. “He pacified me and made me comfortable. He directed me not to disclose this to anyone,” she said in the audio statement.

Victim alleges attempts to avoid meeting, misleading tactics

The complainant stated that she learned about similar allegations against Mamkootathil only in August 2025, after media reports surfaced. When she confronted him, she claimed he dismissed the allegations as media-driven and fake.

She further alleged that when she insisted on meeting him at his residence in Adoor, he proposed an alternative meeting in Palakkad, instructing her to coordinate through Ninan. However, when she attempted to finalise the meeting, both men allegedly began avoiding her.

Ninan later suggested meeting at an office location, which she refused, citing safety concerns. She claimed that after travelling to Palakkad without informing Mamkootathil, he refused her calls and that his staff misled her to multiple locations, preventing a meeting.

“As a married woman, I came forward anticipating such reactions. I want to tell Ninan with affection that I will not be afraid of facing these things,” she said.

Rahul Mamkootathil remains in jail amid multiple cases

Rahul Mamkootathil, who won the Palakkad Assembly by-election last year, is currently lodged at the Mavelikara sub-jail following his arrest based on the victim’s complaint. Police have confirmed that two other cases of sexual harassment had earlier been registered against him.

In the wake of the rape cases, the Congress party expelled Mamkootathil, distancing itself from the controversy that has sparked widespread political debate in Kerala.