Pathanamthitta Rape Case: MLA Rahul Mankoottil Arrested Following Fresh Complaint

MLA Rahul Mankoottil was taken into police custody late on Tuesday night in connection with a fresh rape complaint received via email. Police detained him from Palakkad around 12.30 am and subsequently recorded his arrest after bringing him to the Pathanamthitta Armed Reserve camp. He will be produced before the Pathanamthitta Magistrate Court after questioning.

The latest development follows the registration of a third case against the MLA. In the first case, the High Court had stayed his arrest, while in the second, a trial court had granted him anticipatory bail until January 21. The fresh complaint, received by email, was handed over to a special investigation team, leading to the present arrest.

Serious Allegations in Third Complaint

More details have emerged regarding the third rape complaint filed by a Pathanamthitta native, who has levelled grave allegations including brutal sexual assault, forced abortion and financial exploitation.

According to the complainant, she was married at the time and facing difficulties in her marital life when she came into contact with Rahul Mankoottil through social media. The two began chatting and later developed a close relationship. She alleged that Rahul promised to marry her and urged her to end her existing marriage, claiming that their relationship was based on this assurance.

The complainant stated that Rahul convinced her that having a child would hasten their marriage and insisted on meeting her in person. While the initial plan was to meet in public, he later changed it to a hotel meeting and asked her to book a room at a hotel he suggested.

She alleged that during their first meeting at the hotel, she was sexually assaulted with extreme brutality, despite informing him that she was in her ovulation period. The complaint details severe physical abuse, including assault, spitting and injuries across her body.

Pregnancy, Alleged Pressure and Threats

The woman later became pregnant and informed Rahul, after which his behaviour allegedly changed drastically. She claimed he verbally abused her, questioned the paternity of the child and pressured her to terminate the pregnancy. She also stated that she was willing to undergo a DNA test and had approached a medical agency, which sought a DNA sample from Rahul — something he allegedly refused to provide.

The complainant said she suffered intense mental trauma, following which she miscarried. She alleged that Rahul blocked her calls when she tried to inform him of the miscarriage and that she later conveyed the matter to one of his associates.

She further alleged that during the Palakkad by-election campaign, Rahul re-established contact and attempted to rebuild the relationship. During this period, he allegedly demanded expensive items, including a luxury watch, footwear worth ₹10,000 and costly clothing, for which she claims to have spent significant sums.

When similar allegations against Rahul surfaced recently, the complainant informed him of her decision to proceed legally. She alleged that she and her family were subsequently threatened with dire consequences, including death threats. The complainant stated that she possesses evidence to substantiate her allegations.

Police investigations into the case are ongoing.