Exactly one year after assuming office on December 4, 2024, suspended MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was expelled from the Congress party’s primary membership on Thursday.

In a statement, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the party had thoroughly reviewed the serious complaints against Mamkootathil — including a sexual assault case — and concluded that he could no longer remain in the organisation. The MLA had already been under suspension pending inquiry.

The expulsion came on a day of significant legal setback for Mamkootathil, as a local court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea in the sexual assault case. The Thiruvananthapuram Principal District and Sessions Court rejected his petition after two days of arguments from both sides.

Rahul denied anticipatory bail

The Thiruvananthapuram Principal District and Sessions Court on Thursday denied anticipatory bail to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. He faces allegations of rape, impregnating a woman, and forcing her to undergo an abortion.

The in-camera proceedings, which began on Wednesday, concluded on Thursday, after which the court delivered its verdict.
On Wednesday, the hearing lasted over one and a half hours. The court examined the evidence submitted by Rahul Mamkootathil. Following this, the prosecution requested permission to submit additional evidence, which the court allowed.

Rahul’s lawyer argued in court that the case was fabricated and politically motivated. Apart from the allegations of rape and abortion, Rahul accepted all other claims made by the complainant, including that he had a prior acquaintance with the woman, that there was a romantic relationship, and that he visited the flat as she stated. However, his position remains that he neither committed rape nor forced the abortion.

The defence contended that the relationship with the woman was consensual. At the relevant time, the woman was married, and the pregnancy was from her husband, according to Rahul’s stance in court. He also submitted digital evidence, including pen drives and videos. Advocate Ajith Kumar appeared on behalf of Rahul Mamkootathil.

The prosecution submitted a report containing the gathered evidence. The investigation report indicated strong evidence supporting that rape had occurred. The prosecution opposed the anticipatory bail plea, asserting that evidence exists proving both the rape and the abortion.

Rahul Mamkootathil is a sexual predator; behaved with extreme cruelty: Complainant

The young woman who has accused Kerala Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil of sexual assault has stated that he is a “sexual predator,” adding that fear of cyber harassment delayed her decision to file a complaint.

She said she was frightened to come forward after seeing another woman, who had filed a similar complaint earlier, being abused on social media.

According to her complaint, she first came into contact with Mamkootathil through social media in September 2022. What began as casual conversations soon grew closer after Mamkootathil allegedly made promises of marriage. Though she initially refused, she continued the friendship as the Congress MLA persisted.

She said Mamkootathil later insisted on meeting her alone. She was brought to him by Feni Nainan, a native of Pathanamthitta and MLA’s friend.

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The complainant said she did not expect Mamkootathil to attempt sexual assault.

“He behaved with extreme cruelty. I was shocked and frozen during the assault. Even though I resisted and said no, he showed neither humanity nor compassion,” she stated. She further added that her body sustained multiple injuries during the attack.