Palakkad: Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who reportedly denied the rape allegations while being interrogated by police at the AR Camp in Pathanamthitta, has been arrested in connection with a third complaint received by the police. However, he admitted that he knew the woman. The latest complaint contains grave accusations, including brutal rape, forced abortion and financial exploitation. The complainant, a native of Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta, is reportedly now overseas. It was based on the email complaint submitted by her that the special police team arrested Rahul, with the allegation stating that the assault took place in a hotel.

Rahul was taken into custody around 12.30 am on Sunday from KPM Regency Hotel in Palakkad. After being taken to the AR Camp in Pathanamthitta, his arrest was formally recorded. Rahul is taken to Pathanamthitta General Hospital for medical examination after six-hour long interrogation and is expected to be produced before the Thiruvalla Magistrate.

The woman had emailed her complaint to the DGP. Following this, the special investigation team probing previous rape complaints against Rahul recorded her statement via video conferencing. Although two earlier complaints had resulted in cases against Rahul, the courts had granted him anticipatory bail.

In the first case, the High Court stayed his arrest. In the second, the Thiruvananthapuram trial court granted anticipatory bail. It was after these developments that Rahul’s dramatic appearance to vote in the recent local body election took place.

Rahul’s arrest was carried out through an extremely confidential operation. The move was kept strictly secret to prevent him from going into hiding or seeking anticipatory bail.

At around 12.15am on Sunday, the police team reached the hotel and collected mobile phones from staff at the reception before proceeding with the operation. A special team had already taken a room at KPM Hotel earlier to monitor Rahul. The police took him into custody after receiving permission from the district police chief. The eight-member team, arriving in two jeeps and including Shoranur DYSP N Muraleedharan, executed the operation.

Rahul had been staying in Room 2002. The police entered only after confirming that his staff had left. Using a duplicate key, they opened the door. When informed that it was the police, Rahul initially refused to step out but later complied. When told he was being taken into custody, he resisted. Within 15 minutes, the procedures were completed, and the police left for Pathanamthitta with him.