CB probe against Rahul Mamkoottathil hits a wall as victims refrain from filing complaint
Eventhough the SIT was slated to meet her this week to record her statements, it was postponed after she sought time citing the need for psychological therapy to overcome mental trauma. Reportedly, a womna journalist had spoken to the victim and had spoken about her experience and the trauma her friend had undergone following the abortion. The video was widely shared by senior politicians of the CPM and the BJP.
Ernakulam: After two of the main victims who have been reportedly sexually harassed by Rahul Mamkoottathil, the MLA of Palakkad, the crime branch probe that began an investigation following media reports has hit a roadblock as neither of them have lodged any formal complaint with the police.
The victim’s ordeal had become public after she spoke to a media person in a regional channel where she said she was forced to undergo abortion by Rahul in 2024.
However 2 weeks after it launched a probe against the MLA for alleged sexual harassment, the special investigation team (SIT) has failed to record the victim’s statement.
Eventhough the SIT was slated to meet her this week to record her statements, it was postponed after she sought time citing the need for psychological therapy to overcome mental trauma. Reportedly, a womna journalist had spoken to the victim and had spoken about her experience and the trauma her friend had undergone following the abortion. The video was widely shared by senior politicians of the CPM and the BJP.
The crime branch is looking into nearly a dozen third-party complaints accusing Rahul of sexual abuse. However, with none of the alleged victims opting to take the legal route, the SIT is facing an uphill task.
"The sleuths will not be able to file a chargesheet if the victims do not lodge complaints with the police,” said a source. Lawyer J Sandhya, a social and women’s rights activist, agreed.
"It’s the victim (in the primary sexual harassment case) who should speak about her ordeal. Without the victim’s complaint, the case cannot proceed,” she said.