Congress Expels Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil Amid Rape Allegations
Party removes absconding legislator after two women accuse him of rape and forced abortion
- Congress expels Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil after two women file rape complaints.
- Party says allegations reviewed and he can no longer remain within the organisation.
- MLA has been missing since Nov 28; anticipatory bail plea rejected by Sessions Court.
- Mamkootathil claims charges are politically motivated; police continue search.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4th Dec: The Congress on Thursday expelled absconding Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil after two women accused him of rape, with one also alleging he forced her to undergo an abortion. The decision was announced by state Congress chief Sunny Joseph, who said the party had “reviewed the allegations” and determined that the 36-year-old legislator could no longer remain in the organisation.
Mamkootathil had been suspended for six months in August but continued as a Congress MLA, a position that drew sharp criticism from both the ruling Left Front and the BJP as the state approaches election season. Under pressure, the party said it had acted promptly when the allegations surfaced, including informing police. Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan said the Congress “stands tall with pride,” claiming no other party in Kerala had taken such a firm stance. He accused the CPI(M) of ignoring similar allegations against its leaders.
The party acted after a Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court denied Mamkootathil anticipatory bail. He has been missing since November 28, when the first case was filed. The complaint, addressed directly to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, included charges of rape, forced miscarriage and criminal intimidation. The woman’s husband told NDTV he had no knowledge of the allegations beforehand and said his family had been traumatised by online harassment.
A second rape complaint surfaced this week from a 23-year-old woman living outside Kerala. She emailed her allegation to the Congress state president.
Mamkootathil has denied wrongdoing, claiming the charges are politically motivated. He admitted to a physical relationship with one complainant but said it was consensual.
Police have been searching for the MLA for a week, with multiple teams deployed across districts. Officials said investigations are underway into both complaints, and further action will follow once the legislator is located.
