Kerala Speaker says complaint by an MLA needed to refer Rahul Mamkootathil case to Privileges and Ethics Committee

Kerala Speaker AN Shamseer said on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, that complaints seeking disqualification of rape-accused MLA Rahul Mamkooathil can be forwarded to the Privileges and Ethics Committee of the State Legislative Assembly if the MLA files such a complaint.

“If the Speaker is going to move the committee with such a complaint, a member of the House has to file the complaint. If such a complaint is made, we will forward it to the committee,” Mr. Shamseer said at a press conference held in connection with the Budget Session, which begins on January 20.

Mr. Mamkootathil, who represents Palakkad constituency in the Assembly, was arrested on rape charges on Sunday.

Mr. Shamseer said the Kerala Assembly had received numerous private complaints seeking disqualification of Mr. Mamkootathil or action against him by the Privileges and Ethics Committee of the House of Representatives. “But these are private complaints and therefore cannot be handled by the committee,” Mr. Shamseer said.

This is an issue that needs to be handled “very carefully” by the Parliament. He also said there was no precedent of such allegations being leveled against a member.

He also said the allegations against Mr Mamkooathil should not be used to portray the House or other members in a bad light. “Just because one mango in the basket is rotten doesn’t mean the other mangoes in it are bad too,” he said.

He added that the public expects a certain level of courtesy from members, and members have a responsibility to raise those expectations.