Kerala Police Unite Probes in Mamkootathil Rape Cases Under One Team
Kerala Police Unite Probes in Mamkootathil Rape Cases Under One Team
Kerala cops merge two rape investigations against Palakkad MLA Mamkootathil into a single Crime Branch unit, signaling possible new disclosures.
The Kerala Police have decided to combine the two rape case investigations against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil under a single State Police Crime Branch team headed by Assistant Inspector General G. Poonguzhali. The move comes amid increasing political attention as the Chief Minister hints at more disclosures after voting in Kannur.
The first case involves an alleged rape and coerced termination of pregnancy of a woman in 2024, while the second centers on an accusation that Mamkootathil raped a 21-year-old woman at a homestay in 2023 when she was allegedly invited for a discussion about a prospective marriage. A team from Thiruvananthapuram City Police was originally handling the first case, while another Crime Branch team led by a deputy superintendent was examining the second.
Officials said the Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order and Crime Branch, H. Venkatesh, proposed that Ms. Poonguzhali supervise both investigations due to their “broad comparability” of the offences. Poonguzhali is known for her work as the nodal officer for survivors who testified before the K. Hema Committee, which examined allegations of sexual favours in the film industry and gender inequality.
Separately, the government has moved the High Court to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to Mamkootathil in the second case, arguing inconsistencies in the bail order and scepticism about its timing. As officials push for a cohesive inquiry, the debate focuses on survivor protection, due process, and accountability in a high-stakes political landscape.
Cover image source: Rape accused Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil turns up for voting in Palakkad two weeks since going into hiding 🔗
