Police outfox Mamkootathil, arrest him in third attempt

After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, the police finally outmanouvered Palakkad’s young MLA, Rahul Mamkootathil. His arrest marked the conclusion of a swift and highly secretive operation, meticulously designed to leave no loopholes.

Surveillance camera footages have since surfaced capturing five police officers taking Mr. Mamkootathil into custody from the hotel.

Interestingly, the police this time arrested Mr. Mamkootathil from the very same hotel that had earlier been at the centre of a “midnight raid controversy” during the Palakkad byelection in November 2024, a fiasco that had left the police embarrassed after their midnight raids on two Congress women leaders yielded nothing.

This time, however, the police had the last laugh. The operation, linked to a newly filed sexual harassment complaint, was carried out with utmost secrecy. After Mr. Mamkootathil’s arrival at Palakkad, police kept a discreet watch over him.

The police began preparations to take him into custody in the evening. By 10 p.m., the district’s senior officers were unreachable by phone. Around midnight, a team led by the Shoranur DySP N. Muraleedharan arrived at KPM Regency. They seized the phones of the hotel staff at the reception and moved forward only after confirming that Mr. Mamkootathil’s driver and assistant had gone out.

Around 12.15 a.m., the police reached room 2002, where the MLA was staying. Despite knocking, he did not open the door. It was only after the officers informed him that they had come to formally place him in custody that the door was opened.

The arrest was formally recorded, and within 15 minutes, all procedures were completed. Both keys to room 2002 are now held by the police. Police sources said the room is under surveillance. The MLA’s personal belongings, including his laptop and mobile phone, remained inside the room.

The operation was known only to a few senior police officers, including State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar and head of the special investigation team G. Poonguzhali.

The police had believed that the first two sexual abuse cases against Mr. Mamkootathil would be enough to arrest him. However, his calculated moves and timely court interventions had thwarted the police plans.

With their earlier attempts having failed, the police were left waiting for another opportunity, and one arrived on January 5 in the form of a fresh complaint sent to the DGP via Email. From that moment, a highly confidential operation was set in motion. Initial meetings involved only the DGP, ADGP H. Venkatesh and Ms. Poonguzhali.

Shortly after filing an FIR, the DGP instructed the intelligence team to track Mr. Mamkootathil’s movements. His presence in Palakkad was soon confirmed. The Shoranur DySP was called in to assist.

The police deliberately timed the operation for midnight to minimise media attention.