Kerala assembly ethics panel takes up plaint against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil

Thiruvananthapuram: The legislative assembly's privileges and ethics committee on Monday took up a complaint seeking the disqualification of MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who is facing rape allegations and other criminal cases. The complaint was filed by D K Murali, citing the sexual assault allegations and criminal cases pending against Mamkootathil. The committee will examine the complaint and is expected to submit its report during the current session of the assembly. The report is seen as crucial in deciding whether action, including removal from the post of MLA, will be recommended.
The committee asked Murali to appear before it on Feb 23 to present his submissions. Mamkootathil will also be heard by the committee.Once the report is finalised, it will be placed before the House. Based on the findings, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will move a resolution seeking appropriate action. The assembly will then have to pass the resolution. Depending on the nature of the findings, the House can impose punishments ranging from censure to expulsion. The privileges and ethics committee is chaired by Murali Perunelly. Its members are P Balachandran, M V Govindan, U A Latheef, Mathew T Thomas, T P Ramakrishnan, Roji M John, H Salam, and K K Shailaja. Among them, U A Latheef and Roji M John represent the opposition. Mamkootathil has been facing rape and criminal charges in three separate cases filed against him. He had secured anticipatory bails in the first two cases but was arrested by the special investigation team in the third case. He was subsequently remanded in judicial custody and the court denied him bail. Later, the Pathanamthitta district court granted him bail after he spent 18 days in remand custody.