My phone has evidence in my favour; it may be destroyed: Rahul refuses to share password with SIT

Thiruvalla: Reports say that Rahul Mamkoottathil, arrested in a rape case, continues to be uncooperative with the investigation team. According to the investigators, Rahul is unwilling to provide the password to the phones seized from him. It is learnt that he has taken this stance claiming that evidence favourable to him would be destroyed if the phones are examined.

The investigation team had seized two phones belonging to Rahul. One is a Samsung Flip phone that was in his possession when he was taken into custody on the first day at the KPM Regency Hotel in Palakkad. Later, after Rahul’s arrest, the investigation team revisited the same hotel room in Palakkad and recovered another phone—an iPhone—during a search. One of the personal phones was found in room number 2002, where Rahul had been staying, during a search led by Shoranur DySP N Muraleedharan. However, Rahul has so far refused to provide the lock pattern and passwords for these phones.

It is reported that Rahul has told the SIT that there is evidence favourable to him stored on the phones and that if the SIT examines it, such evidence could be destroyed, which would adversely affect his case. He has reportedly informed the SIT that there are several pieces of evidence on the phones that could help exonerate him.

An investigation is also underway to trace Rahul’s laptop. Rahul has not provided any information regarding its whereabouts, and the SIT has so far been unable to locate it. The police are not ruling out the possibility that the laptop may be in a room at his house.

The SIT suspects that Rahul’s phone may contain visuals related to the complainant. It is indicated that the complainant mentioned this in her statement to the investigation team. To retrieve the WhatsApp chats and other material referred by the complainant, the investigators need to unlock and examine Rahul’s phone. The complainant’s statement had been recorded earlier by the police.

The SIT is also planning to send all Rahul’s phones to a forensic laboratory for detailed examination. The investigation team expects that data obtained from the phones will provide crucial leads in the case. The examination will focus on call records, messages, location data, and digital transactions.