The Crime Branch has recordically informed Speaker A.N. Shamsheer’s office about the arrest and incarceration of Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, on rape charges on Sunday.
Officials said the special investigation team (SIT) probing Mr. Mamkootathil on multiple charges of rape, physical assault, intimidation, had conveyed the particulars of at least three cases registered against the MLA, including complaints of online stalking, sexual misconduct, and predation, to the Speaker’s office.
Mr. Shamsheer had stated on Sunday that the Assembly Ethics and Privileges Committee would examine the matter. He also said that the Speaker’s office had sought legal opinion on whether the House could disqualify Mr. Mamkootathil under the Anti-Defection Law, given that the Congress had expelled him from the party’s primary membership, and consequently, the Congress Legislative Party.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the committee could not disqualify any MLA. It could only issue a reprimand or order a six-month suspension. Mr. Satheesan reiterated that the onus was on Mr. Mamkootathil to decide whether to continue as Palakkad MLA. He said the Congress had set an example and seized the high moral ground by acting against Mr Mamkootathil at the first whiff of wrongdoing.
He asked whether the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] could make the same claim regarding its legislators and party apparatchiks facing similar charges. Former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K. Muraleedharan said the party considered Mr. Mamkootathil a closed chapter. He said the CPI(M)’s attempt to foist the expelled MLA on the United Democratic Front (UDF) would not pass muster with voters.
Meanwhile, the CPI(M) dialled up its demand for Mr. Mamkootathil’s resignation as MLA. CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby told reporters in Delhi that the serial nature of the cases against Mr. Mamkootathil rendered his continuation as MLA morally, ethically, and constitutionally untenable.
CPI(M) State Secretariat member M.V. Jayarajan stated the Congress’ namesake expulsion of Mr. Mamkootathil was just a fig leaf intended to mislead the public in the crucial election year. He accused the Congress of continuing to provide Mr. Mamkootathil political cover and patronage.
Curated by James Chen
