A case has been registered against Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil on charges of stalking and criminal intimidation, the Kerala Crime Branch confirmed on Wednesday. The FIR, filed and submitted in court, invokes Sections 78(2) (stalking) and 352 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, provisions under Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act (KP Act) have also been applied.
Officials said the FIR was lodged following a notice issued by the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, along with nine separate complaints submitted by politicians and social activists.
It has been clarified that the women linked to the allegations have not submitted official complaints so far. However, investigators said their accounts will be taken if supporting proof comes to light. One of the complainants, Advocate Shino, has already given her version of events, and officials are now looking to question journalists who discussed the matter on Facebook.
The agency is also preparing to record the testimony of the woman believed to have undergone an abortion procedure, as per IANS.
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On the suspension of Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, Kerala Leader of Opposition and Congress leader VD Satheesan told ANI that the party had taken strong action based on its conviction. He said that after consultations, Congress leaders had unanimously decided to suspend Mamkootathil from the party and remove him from the Youth Congress presidentship.
"The CPM is not doing such things, nor is the BJP, but Congress has taken such a step," he said.