Kerala police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, accusing him of multiple criminal offences, including rape, forced abortion, grievous hurt, and issuing verbal threats. The move came a day after a woman lodged a complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The FIR was initially filed at Valiamala police station and subsequently transferred to Nemom police station, which has jurisdiction over the area where the alleged offences took place, within Thiruvananthapuram district.

Police officials confirmed that a special investigation team would be formed under the leadership of Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner Thomson Jose. The complainant’s statement has already been recorded as part of the ongoing probe. The complaint was treated with urgency due to the serious nature of the offences and the influential position of the accused.

According to the FIR, Mamkootathil allegedly raped the woman multiple times under the pretext of marriage. He is accused of recording videos of the acts on his phone and subsequently blackmailing the victim using the recordings. The complaint also alleges that the MLA procured medicines illegally and coerced the woman into consuming them to terminate her pregnancy, while observing the act via a video call. Joby Thomas, an acquaintance of Mamkootathil, has been named as a second accused for delivering the abortion-inducing medication.

The offences attributed to the Palakkad MLA are non-bailable under Indian law and carry severe penalties, ranging from ten years of imprisonment to life sentences. An audio clip, released by a television network, reportedly captures the complainant describing her deteriorating physical condition following the abortion, including heavy bleeding. She is said to have stated that the MLA watched her take the medicine during a video call. The police have not yet verified the authenticity of the clip.

Following the filing of the FIR, a lookout notice was issued against Mamkootathil, who became unreachable both by phone and in person. He was reportedly active in his constituency campaigning for local body elections until Thursday evening but went missing soon after the reports of the complainant meeting the Chief Minister surfaced.

In response to the FIR, Mamkootathil approached the Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court on Friday with an anticipatory bail petition. In his plea, he claimed that the case was part of a “political conspiracy” aimed at tarnishing his reputation. He also alleged that the complainant had recorded his calls and videos and circulated them to the media without filing a formal police complaint, resulting in a media trial. Mamkootathil rejected the allegations that he pressured the woman to terminate her pregnancy. The court is expected to hear the bail petition on Monday.

Rahul Mamkootathil’s political troubles date back to August this year when he was suspended from the primary membership of the Congress following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women and sending obscene messages. Actor Rini Ann George was the first to publicly raise concerns about such behaviour, although she did not name him directly. Subsequently, audio clips surfaced on social media in which a male voice resembling Mamkootathil’s could be heard pressuring a woman to abort her child.

In addition to his suspension from the party, Mamkootathil was compelled to resign from his post as president of the Kerala Youth Congress in August. Despite these developments, he has maintained his innocence. On Thursday, before going missing, he posted on Facebook: “As long as I know that I have not done any wrong, I will fight legally. Everything will be proved in the court of justice and the court of people. Truth will win.”

The FIR and ongoing investigation have heightened scrutiny of political figures in Kerala, with observers noting the serious legal and social implications of the allegations. The case has attracted widespread attention in the state, particularly as it involves accusations of sexual assault, coercion, and forced abortion by an elected representative.

Authorities have emphasized that the investigation will proceed swiftly, given the sensitive nature of the offences and the involvement of multiple accused. The formation of a special team under the city police commissioner reflects the high priority being accorded to the case. Police sources have indicated that further evidence, including digital records, phone logs, and witness testimonies, will be examined thoroughly to establish the facts and bring the perpetrators to justice.

This case adds to a series of high-profile instances in India where political leaders have faced criminal charges for serious offences, prompting discussions about accountability and the need for stringent checks within political parties. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that the complainant receives justice and that legal procedures are followed impartially.