Kerala Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, already facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, has now been accused of forcing a woman to undergo an abortion and threatening to kill her.
According to NDTV, an audio clip of a purported conversation between the legislator from Palakkad and an unidentified woman has gone viral, intensifying the controversy.
Moneycontrol could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
In the four-minute-nine-second audio, the woman can be heard asking, “What do you mean you want to get rid of me without my permission?”
Mamkootathil allegedly responds: “It’s not because of permission. It’s because you don’t think about it. You don’t know the consequences.”
When the woman insists she will face the consequences alone, the Congress leader replies: “You can’t face it alone. I don’t know the consequences when I get angry.”
At one point, he is heard saying that the pregnancy would “destroy” his life. He allegedly threatens: “To kill you, what do you think, I just need a few seconds.”
The MLA adds, “I have spoken to you very calmly. Till this moment, I haven’t called you a bad word. Don’t think that you were with me. You are a woman. Is this your ideal in life? I will never do anything wrong to you.”
When Mamkootathil asks what she would do if she delivers the baby, she replies: “I won’t bring it (to you). I am sure that you will kill it.” The woman also asserts, “I can raise that child well. I don’t need your help.”
Mamkootathil then says, “What are you saying? You are making me crazy.”
NDTV reported that neither Mamkootathil nor the Congress party has reacted to the audio clip so far.
This development comes days after Mamkootathil resigned as the state Youth Congress president amid mounting allegations. Malayalam actor Rini George had earlier accused a youth leader of misconduct, without naming him, but the BJP alleged his involvement. Following this, writer Honey Bhaskaran and trans activist Avanthika accused him of inappropriate behaviour.
Avanthika told NDTV that the MLA shared his rape fantasies with her, saying he was interested in “rape sex” and suggested meetings to fulfil his fantasies. Screenshots of WhatsApp chats purportedly sent by the MLA asking another woman if he could visit her when she was alone have also surfaced.
Mamkootathil has denied all allegations, calling his resignation from party posts voluntary. “Resignation is not even in my thoughts,” he said, adding that no woman has filed a legal complaint. “If the CPI(M) wants, they can fabricate one. Let them complain, I can prove my innocence in court.”
The controversy has triggered protests by the BJP and CPI(M)-backed DYFI in Palakkad, accusing the Congress of shielding him. Voices of dissent have also emerged within Congress, with some leaders saying his continuation as MLA hurts the party’s credibility ahead of polls.
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