Rahul Mamkootathil
Indian politician

Rahul Mamkootathil
രാഹുൽ മാങ്കൂട്ടത്തിൽ
Mamkootathil in 2023
Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 December 2024
Preceded byShafi Parambil
ConstituencyPalakkad
Personal details
BornRahul B. R.[1]
PartyIndian National Congress (2007 - 2025)[2]
Alma materSt. Stephen's College, Delhi, Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta
Occupation
  • Politician
  • businessman
  • entrepreneur

Rahul B. R., better known as Rahul Mamkootathil (Malayalam: രാഹുൽ മാങ്കൂട്ടത്തിൽ), is an Indian politician from Kerala, who is serving as the current Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from the Palakkad constituency. He was a member of the Indian National Congress and expelled from Indian National Congress for serial sexual predation.[3][4][5]

Early life and education

Mamkootathil during his college days

Mamkootathil studied at Thapovan Public School in Adoor and at St. John's School in Pandalam. He did his B.A. degree in History from Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta. He then completed postgraduate degrees in English from IGNOU and in History from St. Stephen's College, Delhi. He is pursuing a Ph.D. at the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.[6]

Sexual abuse allegations

On 21 August 2025, Mamkootathil resigned as president of the Kerala Youth Congress following allegations by Malayalam actor Rini Ann George, who claimed that a "young politician" had sent her obscene messages and invited her to a hotel. Although she did not name the individual, media reports linked the allegation to Mamkootathil. He denied any wrongdoing and continued to serve as the MLA for Palakkad.[7] He was being criticized as a womanizer and a sex maniac by several women who were deceived into sexual relationships under the pretext of a marriage proposal.[8] It was alleged that a former Congress MP's daughter also came forward, stating that she had received a marriage proposal prior to long sex relationship from the politician, but he later refused to marry her, citing she belongs to a lower caste and the fact that she was not a Nair.[9] Media also reported the circulation of an audio clip purported to feature him urging a woman to terminate a pregnancy; he disputed its authenticity, and Kochi City Police said they were seeking legal opinion on a complaint based on the clip.[10][11] The Congress suspended him from the party and made him an independent MLA in assembly, and gave him a separate chamber from the UDF side.[12][13]

In his anticipatory bail plea, Mangoottathil admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship that allegedly resulted in a pregnancy.[14] Following this, additional women came forward alleging that he had promised marriage but later distanced himself after engaging in sexual relationships with them.[15][16]

In August 2025, the Kerala Crime Branch constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under ADGP H. Venkatesh to probe accusations of sexual misconduct against Mamkoottathil.[17] On 7 December 2025, a new SIT headed by Assistant Inspector General G. Poonguzhali IPS was appointed to locate him after he remained absconding in a rape case, with the team handling three related cases.[18] He was arrested in Palakkad on 11 January 2026, after being taken into custody from a hotel, in connection with the case.[19][20]

On 4 December 2025, Mamkoottathil was expelled from the Congress Party over multiple instances of sexual predation. The expulsion was approved by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). However, Mamkoottathil continues to serve as the MLA from Palakkad, as expulsion from the party does not automatically disqualify a sitting legislator.[21]

Political career

Mamkootathil began his political career in 2006 as a member of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) while pursuing his undergraduate studies at Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta. In 2007, he was elected president of KSU's Adoor constituency and also assumed the role of president for the Indian Youth Congress in the Peringanadu mandalam committee. Over the years, he held several leadership positions, including university counselor, Pathanamthitta district president of KSU, and national secretary of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI). He also served as KSU state general secretary, Youth Congress state general secretary, and Youth Congress state secretary, in addition to being a member of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). In 2023, Mamkootathil was elected as the state president of the Indian Youth Congress, Kerala.[6]

In the November 2024 by-election to the Palakkad constituency, Mamkootathil, representing the Indian National Congress (INC), was elected as the Member to the Kerala Legislative Assembly. He won by a margin of 18,840 votes over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate.[22][23][24][25]

Personal life

In addition to his political career, Mamkootathil is also engaged in various business ventures. He owns a men's beauty parlour and holds partnerships in a medical shop and a children's clothing store. He also runs a Milma agency.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Onmanorama (31 October 2024). "Former HSBC techie, doc-turned-IAAS and St Stephen's alumnus add glitter to Kerala's bypolls". Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  2. ^ https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/congress-expels-palakkad-mla-rahul-mamkootathil-from-party-after-court-rejects-anticipatory-bail-in-rape-case/article70357108.ece/[bare URL]
  3. ^ "Kerala bypoll results 2024: UDF cadre celebrate Palakkad win with trolleys". The Hindu. 23 November 2024. Archived from the original on 23 November 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  4. ^ The News Minute (23 November 2024). "Palakkad bye-poll: Congress' Rahul Mamkootathil wins with historic margin of 18,840". Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Kerala Congress expels Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil over sexual misconduct allegations". The Indian Express. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  6. ^ a b "അച്ഛന്റെ ഖദറിട്ട് കോൺഗ്രസായി, പത്തനംതിട്ടയിൽ നിന്ന് പാലക്കാട് വഴി നിയമസഭയിലേക്ക്". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). 23 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Day after actor Rini Ann George alleged politician invited her to hotel room, Rahul Mamkootathil, rising star of Kerala Congress, quits post". The Indian Express. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Should show that our president is not a womanizer; a case should be filed against actress: woman leader in WhatsApp group". Keralakaumudi. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  9. ^ "'"Backed out of promised marriage citing caste"; Former MP's daughter comes out against Rahul Mamkootathil'". Kerala Kaumudi. 21 August 2025. Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  10. ^ "Why Congress leadership pushed for Rahul Mamkootathil's resignation". The News Minute. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  11. ^ "'Forced woman to abort': Why Kerala Police has not acted on complaint against Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil". Mathrubhumi (English). 22 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Rahul Mamkootathil—Congress's young popular face in eye of a storm amid sexual misconduct backlash". ThePrint. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Rahul Mamkootathil misconduct allegations: Sensing trouble, Congress acts swiftly". The Times of India. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Rahul Mamkoottathil admits relationship in bail plea, denies coercion". The Federal. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  15. ^ "Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil faces fresh sexual assault allegations". India Today. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  16. ^ "Police investigate Rahul Mamkoottathil's whereabouts; CCTV shows MLA leaving in red car". Manorama Online. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  17. ^ Sigamany, Jisha Surya,Vidya (2 September 2025). "SIT begins probe into allegations of forced abortions in Rahul Mamkootathil case". The News Minute. Retrieved 13 January 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Second Sexual Assault Complaint Against Rahul Mamkootathil; Special Team Led by Woman IPS Officer to Probe". Deshabhimani. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  19. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (11 January 2026). "Police outfox Rahul Mamkootathil, arrest him in third attempt". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 January 2026. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  20. ^ KG, Shibimol (11 January 2026). "Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil arrested in third rape case". India Today. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  21. ^ "Kerala Congress expels Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil over sexual misconduct allegations". The Indian Express. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  22. ^ Election Commission of India (23 November 2024). "Palakkad Assembly Constituency By Poll Result 2024". Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  23. ^ The Hindu (23 November 2024). "Palakkad Assembly bypoll: UDF's Rahul Mamkootathil sets record victory". Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  24. ^ Onmanorama (23 November 2024). "Shafi successor Rahul Mamkootathil sets record in Palakkad with over 18k margin". Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  25. ^ CNBCTV18 (23 November 2024). "Bypoll Election Full Winners List 2024: Check state-wise winners". Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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