Rape case: Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil sent to police custody for 3 days
Massive protests took place outside the general hospital in Thiruvalla where Rahul was taken for medical check up. Following medical check-up, he was taken to the police headquarters where he is expected to be interrogated by the crime branch team and the local police.
Pathanamthitta: In a major setback to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil, the judicial first class magistrate court in Thiruvalla granted the crime-branch three days police custody
Officials said the custody period was from 12.45 p.m. on Tuesday to 5 p.m. on Thursday. The police had escorted Mr. Mamkootathil to the court from the sub jail at Mavelikara, Alappuzha, under heavy police escort, amid raucous street protests by Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists. An anonymous protester pelted an egg at Mr. Mamkootathil, narrowly missing the MLA, in front of the sub jail
The defence cited perceived procedural flaws, including the absence of a signed complaint. Mr. Mamkootathil’s counsel argued that the Crime Branch had arrested the MLA in haste early Sunday based on a "tenuous e-mail” received by the Chief Minister’s Office.
He argued that the special investigation team (SIT) had not secured the complainant’s sworn statement under Section 183 of Bharatiya Nagarika Nyaya Samhiti.
The counsel also submitted that Mr. Mamkootathil’s relationship with the complainant was consensual.
Massive protests took place outside the general hospital in Thiruvalla where Rahul was taken for medical check up. Following medical check-up, he was taken to the police headquarters where he is expected to be interrogated by the crime branch team and the local police.
Threatening messages by Rahul sent to survivor surfaces
Threatening messages allegedly sent by MLA Rahul Mamkootathil to a survivor have surfaced. Screenshots of Telegram chats between Rahul and the survivor in the third rape case registered against him are circulating in cyberspace.
The messages were allegedly sent after he came to know the survivor was pregnant. The messages reportedly contain death threats and warnings against the survivor and her family. Rahul is alleged to have threatened retaliation against those opposing him, and their families.
The chargesheet said Rahul allegedly threatened the victim on multiple occasions, citing his political position and contacts, and warning her against opposing him.