NRK woman’s complaint to CMO and sworn video statement led to Mamkootathil’s midnight arrest

The latest case against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil centers around a complaint filed by a non-resident Keralite woman to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office. The Crime Branch strengthened the charges against the MLA by obtaining a sworn video statement from the victim.

The Crime Branch’s case was that Mr Mamkooathil befriended the victim on social media, gained her trust by appearing concerned about her father’s health, advised her on a legal separation from her estranged husband and promised marriage.

Also read | Rahul Mamkooathil sexual assault case: What we know so far

According to the First Information Report (FIR), Mr. Mamkooathil allegedly persuaded the victim to meet him privately at a hotel room in Thiruvalla to discuss marriage. He advised her to stay away from the restaurant, stating that it would invade the privacy of selfie-seekers.

The FIR stated that Mr. Mamkootathil raped the woman in the room and caused personal injuries, including beating, humiliating physical and verbal abuse.

The FIR stated that the woman became pregnant within a short time. Mr Mamkooathil disowned the victim and allegedly shamed her by telling her the “slut” was trying to impose the parentage of a person’s child on her.

DNA test

The victim also preserved the dress she wore during the sexual assault, the FIR stated. The police applied to the court to seize the dress as evidence for forensic examination.

The victim then medically terminated her pregnancy at a hospital at her workplace abroad, but kept the fetus for DNA examination in an attempt to prove her parentage through the country’s medical-legal system. The FIR stated that Mr. Mamkooathil blocked the woman’s request to send a sample for DNA testing to confirm that the child was born from their union.

However, Mr. Mamkootathil assured the victim that he would marry her and settle in his constituency in Palakkad. The victim told police Mr Mamkooathil had formed a “trauma bond” with him.

The FIR stated that the politician repeatedly asked for money and forced her to buy an expensive watch, several pairs of branded, high-end clothes and high-end shoes. According to Crime Branch officials, the victim submitted financial transaction records, DNA test results and the dress as evidence to investigators.

Youth Congress

They said the victim also produced an electronic record of his contribution of ₹5,000 to the Youth Congress’s Wayanad Rehabilitation ‘Lucky Raffle’ contest. Mr. Mamkooathil was the Head of State of the organization at that time. The FIR stated that Mr. Mamkootathil’s close aide, Fenni Ninan, promised to change the draw to ensure the victim became the winner.

The FIR stated that the woman was afraid of Mr. Mamkooathil’s political power and influence. Additionally, the mistaken belief that the politician would keep his promise to marry her prevented her from contacting the police. Moreover, he took time to overcome his fear of social ostracism and reputational damage before contacting law enforcement.