Kochi: Actor Rini Ann George has spoken out following the arrest of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil by the Kerala Police Crime Branch in a fresh rape case. The new complaint marks the third allegation raised against the former legislator.

Speaking to the media, Rini Ann George said, "This is the third complaint against this MLA... Many more women are still hiding because they are afraid of this MLA. They should come forward and get their justice."

According to police, the expelled Congress leader was detained from a hotel in Palakkad late Saturday and transported to the AR Camp in Pathanamthitta for questioning. He was later remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.

The first rape case against Mamkootathil was moved to the State Police Crime Branch on December 12 through an official directive. The investigation, initially handled by the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner, is now being overseen alongside the second case by Assistant Inspector General of Police Poonguzhali. The complaints include allegations of brutal sexual assault, rape on the promise of marriage and forced abortion.

The FIR was first registered at the Nedumangad Valiyamala Police Station and later shifted to the Nemom Police Station, as the alleged incidents occurred in its jurisdiction. Earlier, on December 6, the Kerala High Court granted a temporary stay on Mamkootathil’s arrest while examining his anticipatory bail application.

A bench led by Justice K Babu scheduled detailed arguments for December 15 after the Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court denied the MLA's anticipatory bail. The charges filed against him fall under several non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Section 64 for rape, Section 64(2) for repeated rape of the same survivor, Section 64(f) for rape by a person in a position of trust, Section 64(h) for rape of a pregnant woman, and Section 64(m) for repeated sexual assault.

He also faces charges under Section 89 of the BNS for causing miscarriage without consent, Section 316 for criminal breach of trust and Section 68(e) of the Information Technology Act for transmitting offensive digital content. Combined, these offences carry potential sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.

ANI