Rahul Mamkootathil faces fresh heat as audio clip surfaces amid sexual misconduct allegations
Palakkad: Kerala Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil has landed in deeper controversy after an alleged audio clip of him threatening a woman went viral on Saturday. In the recording, the Palakkad legislator is purportedly heard pressuring the woman to terminate her pregnancy and warning that he could “kill (her) in seconds” if she resisted.
According to reports, the four-minute clip features Mamkootathil expressing concern that the pregnancy could “destroy” his life. The woman, however, pushes back, saying she would raise the child herself, while accusing him of being capable of harming it. The authenticity of the recording has not been independently verified.
The MLA, already facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, had earlier been accused by Malayalam actor Rini George, writer Honey Bhaskaran, and trans activist Avanthika of harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Screenshots of WhatsApp chats allegedly involving him have also circulated on social media.
On August 21, Mamkootathil resigned as Kerala Youth Congress President and from other organisational posts, though he maintained that the move was voluntary. However, he has refused to step down as MLA, insisting, “Resignation is not even in my thoughts. Let them complain; I can prove my innocence in court.”
The controversy has triggered political backlash. The BJP has accused the Congress of shielding Mamkootathil, with Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar calling him a “symptom of a deep-rooted malaise in the Congress.” CPI(M)’s youth wing, DYFI, has also staged protests demanding his resignation.
Within the Congress, discontent is reportedly brewing, as several leaders and workers have warned that his continuation as MLA could damage the party’s credibility ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
So far, neither Mamkootathil nor the Congress leadership has issued an official response to the viral audio clip.
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RCB beat DC by 9 wickets in IPL
New Delhi (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their impressive run, thrashing Delhi Capitals by nine wickets in their IPL match here on Monday.
Opting to bowl, pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/5) and Josh Hazlewood (4/12) shared seven wickets, while Rasikh Salam Dar (1/21) and Syuash Sharma (1/7) also contributed as RCB bowled out DC for 75 -- lowest score of this season.
For DC, Abishek Porel (30), David Miller (19) and Kyle Jamieson (12) provided some respectability to the total after being reduced to 8 for 6 in 4th over.
In reply, Devdutt Padikkal (34), Jacob Bethell (20) and Virat Kohli (23) completed the chase in 6.3 overs.
Brief Score:
DC: 75 all-out in 16.3 overs (Abishek Porel 30; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/5, Josh Hazlewood 4/12).
RCB: 77 for 1 in 6.3 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 34; Kyle Jamieson 1/42).
