Daijiworld Media Network - Palakkad

Palakkad, Jan 11: Congress-expelled MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was arrested late on Saturday night in connection with a sexual assault case registered in Palakkad, police sources said on Sunday.

According to Kerala Police, Mamkootathil was taken into custody from a hotel in Palakkad around midnight and shifted to the Armed Reserve (AR) Camp in Pathanamthitta. After interrogation, he will be produced before the Thiruvalla Magistrate. Officials said he was moved to a police camp in Pathanamthitta on Sunday morning.

Police said the arrest follows the registration of a third sexual assault case against the Palakkad MLA, based on a complaint filed by a woman from Pathanamthitta district. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is already probing two similar cases against Mamkootathil, has also been entrusted with the investigation of the latest case, sources told.

Mamkootathil was reportedly staying at a hotel in Palakkad when he was detained and subsequently brought to Pathanamthitta for further proceedings.

Earlier, the Kerala High Court had granted him interim protection from arrest in the first case, which involves allegations of rape and forcing a woman to undergo an abortion. In the second case, a sessions court in Thiruvananthapuram had granted him anticipatory bail.

Following the serious allegations, the Congress party expelled Mamkootathil from its ranks. Investigations in all the cases are currently underway.