Thiruvananthapuram:The Kerala police has issued a lookout notice for Congress MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil on Friday after a sexual harassment complaint was filed against him. A lookout notice has been issued at airports and other exit points to prevent the MLA from leaving the country.

The case, lodged at the Valiyamala police station in Thiruvananthapuram, alleges rape on the promise of marriage and forced abortion. The FIR includes non-bailable offences that carry a possible sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment. Police have recorded the woman’s detailed statement and collected digital evidence, including WhatsApp chats, audio recordings and medical documents relating to complications she says following the abortion. Officers are preparing to record her confidential statement before a magistrate as part of the investigation led by Thiruvananthapuram Rural SP KS Sudarshan, and the case file will be transferred to the Nemom police.

Complainant alleges forced abortion verified through video call

The complainant states that Rahul pressured the woman to undergo an abortion and confirmed through a video call that she had taken the pills. She alleged that the medicine was delivered by one of Rahul’s close associates from Adoor and that she later sought treatment at a government hospital due to severe physical problems. Police have traced the hospital and recorded statement from the doctor.

Rahul is untraceable

Rahul has not been reachable since the registration of the case, and his phone, along with those of several close aides, remains switched off. Searches are underway in Pathanamthitta and Palakkad as officers expand the investigation. Rahul is reportedly attempting to secure anticipatory bail and has consulted senior advocate George Pottawat in Kochi.

Rahul's Facebook response asserting innocence

Rahul publicly responded to the allegations via Facebook, repeatedly asserting that he is innocent and intends to fight the case legally. “As long as I am convinced that I have not committed a crime, I will fight legally. I will prove everything in the court of justice and the people’s court. Truth will prevail,” he wrote.

Complaint directly submitted to the Chief Minister; protests intensify

The case took a political turn after the complainant personally approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with a three-page written petition and supporting digital evidence. Security has since been heightened around Rahul’s residence in Adoor, with barricades installed in anticipation of protests. Youth organisations DYFI and SFI have announced demonstrations, escalating tensions ahead of the local body elections.

Allegations around Rahul had initially surfaced in August through leaked audio clips, prompting a preliminary Crime Branch inquiry, though the complainant had not come forward at the time.

Political reactions across parties

Political responses remain sharply divided. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan declined to comment when questioned by reporters. Senior Congress leader Deepa Das Munshi confirmed that the party has taken internal action against Rahul but questioned the complainant’s decision to approach the Chief Minister rather than the police. DYFI state secretary VK Sanoj accused the Congress of defending Rahul despite the public evidence and suggested that more women might come forward. BJP state president K Surendran demanded Rahul’s immediate arrest and resignation from the Assembly. 

Earlier allegations fuel controversy

The present storm around Rahul follows earlier allegations made by a writer who publicly accused the Palakkad MLA and Youth Congress state president of inappropriate conduct on social media. The writer claimed Rahul first contacted her regarding travel and later attempted to portray her as someone pursuing him, describing his behaviour as “extremely obscene” and alleging that he had similarly targeted other women, including party workers. She also stated that a senior Congress MP was aware of Rahul’s alleged behaviour but ignored multiple complaints. From there, more allegations from different women surfaced.