Thiruvananthapuram: The Nemom Police have registered a case against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil for forced abortion and obtaining consent through deceitful means based on a woman's complaint. The Valiyamala Police initially registered a zero FIR based on the woman's statement and later transferred it to the Nemom police. The woman has also accused the MLA of sexual harassment and issuing death threats. 

An audio clip had earlier surfaced in which the MLA is allegedly heard threatening the woman. Onmanorama has not independently verified the recording. Meanwhile, Rahul Mamkoottathil’s advocate, George Poonthottam, told Onmanorama that the case is a political stunt and that none of the charges will hold.

Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan alleged that the timing of the case shows it is being “weaponised for the upcoming polls.” Palakkad MP V K Sreekandan said the matter should be left to the court, not the media. “Let the investigation continue. The Crime Branch had initially probed the matter and submitted a report saying there was no evidence,” he said.

In August, the Crime Branch had registered another case against Mamkoottathil for offences including stalking and harassing women on social media. The FIR was filed under Sections 78(2) (stalking) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act, which pertains to causing nuisance through repeated or unwanted communication. But the probe has stalled as the women are hesitant to move forward with their complaints.

Mamkoottathil had recently resigned as Youth Congress state president after Malayalam actress Rini Ann George levelled allegations of misbehaviour against a young political leader, prompting protests by the BJP and DYFI, the CPM’s youth wing. He was also facing an internal party inquiry.

Following the actor's allegation, several women and a transgender person came forward with similar accusations. After audio clips of a purported conversation between the MLA and a woman were circulated, the Congress suspended him from the party’s primary membership.

Meanwhile, CPM leader Annie Raja said that the woman had submitted a written complaint to the Chief Minister and that the government must conduct a time-bound investigation. She added that the Congress should ask Rahul Mamkoottathil to resign if the party truly “values women”. DYFI leader V K Sanoj said the party would strongly protest the incident. “The media clearly knows whether this is a prey created by the CPM or not, hence no point in asking. Our focus is on campaigning well for the local body polls and the subsequent welfare of the state,” he said.

BJP leader K Surendran said people who refrained from filing complaints due to fear or blackmail should be encouraged to come forward. He alleged that the issue was “organised crime” and claimed that not only Rahul Mamkoottathil but also senior leaders were involved. He added that the state government had repeatedly taken a stand in support of Mamkoottathil in previous cases.