Kerala Speaker Seeks Legal Opinion on Disqualifying Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil

Kerala Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer announced that legal opinion will be sought to initiate disqualification proceedings against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, following his arrest on fresh sexual assault charges. Shamseer stated that the legislator’s continuation in office sends an inappropriate message to the public, and the allegations will be referred to the assembly’s ethics and privileges committee for further examination.

The Speaker emphasised that a decision on disqualification would be taken only after consultation with legal experts. He clarified that the arrest was carried out in accordance with procedure and that he had not been informed in advance, as it did not occur within assembly premises or the MLA hostel.

Ruling front leaders intensified pressure on the Congress, with General Education Minister V Sivankutty and CPM state secretary M V Govindan demanding Rahul’s immediate resignation and criticising the opposition party for allegedly shielding him. LDF convener T P Ramakrishnan accused the Congress of protecting the accused and urged the party to demand his resignation itself, drawing parallels with previous cases involving public figures.

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Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan distanced the party from the MLA, stating that Rahul had already been removed from the organisation and that the party bears no responsibility for his actions. Meanwhile, one of the complainants posted an emotional message on social media, expressing pain over alleged coercion into terminating pregnancies and seeking forgiveness for the lost children.

State Women’s Commission chairperson P Satheedevi welcomed the arrest, describing it as evidence of law enforcement’s commitment to justice for women. She noted that multiple victims had suffered serious abuse and financial fraud, and commended the police for apprehending the accused despite earlier challenges.

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