Kochi (Kerala) [India], January 11 : Kerala Leader of the Opposition VD Satheeshan defended the Congress party's actions following the arrest of expelled MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, asserting that the party had acted decisively even before formal complaints were received. Satheeshan said Mamkootathil was first suspended and later expelled after a complaint reached the KPCC president.
Stressing that the Congress had taken stronger action than most, Satheeshan said, "Even before receiving a single complaint, we suspended him. When a complaint was received to the KPCC president, he was expelled from the party. Ask Minister P Rajeev to check how many such people are there in his own party."
"We do not have the authority at present to ask for an MLA's resignation. He is not a member of our party; he is already outside. Then how can we make such a demand? We do not have that authority. Let the law take its own course, and let all legal procedures proceed accordingly," Satheeshan said.
Emphasising his consistent stand on the issue, Satheeshan said, "My stand on this issue is known to every child in Kerala. So why keep asking me the same question? I have been personally targeted many times over this issue, but I did not waver then. Now, no comments. I have nothing more to say. Whatever needed to be done has already been done, not by me alone, but by my party, after a collective decision."
Meanwhile, Rahul Mamkootathil was today remanded to judicial custody for 14 days following his arrest in a new sexual assault case. The case is the third complaint against him. Police arrested him in Palakkad based on the fresh sexual assault complaint received via email.This third sexual assault complaint against the Palakkad MLA, involves serious allegations such as physical assault, financial exploitation, and forced abortion.
The investigation into the first alleged rape case against Mamkootathil has been transferred to the Kerala Police Crime Branch. A special team led by Assistant Inspector General G Poonguzhali will now probe the case. With this move, both rape cases registered against the expelled MLA will come under a single supervisory authority, aiming to consolidate the probe if more survivors come forward.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said there could be "more serious revelations" in the case, noting that many women may still be hesitant to speak out. Mamkootathil, who is facing multiple sexual assault allegations, is currently absconding. The cases include charges of rape, repeated sexual assault, rape on the pretext of marriage, forced abortion and transmission of offensive digital content under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, carrying penalties ranging from ten years to life imprisonment.
The Kerala High Court had earlier stayed Mamkootathil's arrest while hearing his anticipatory bail plea, after a sessions court rejected his request. The Congress had suspended and later expelled him following the allegations, reiterating its stance of zero tolerance towards crimes against women.