Rahul Mankootathil’s ‘Who Cares’ November: A Timeline from Political Ascent to Downfall
Rahul Mankootathil, a name that has become an unprecedented phenomenon in state politics, rose through the ranks of KSU (Kerala Students Union) and gained prominence through his active presence on social media and participation in television debates. This native of Adoor emerged as one of Kerala’s notable political figures from 2023, achieving a stellar victory in the legislative assembly from Palakkad within approximately one year. The young leader enjoys enviable popularity on social media, even among supporters of his primary rivals, the BJP, in Palakkad.
However, not long after his rise, Rahul faced sexual harassment allegations, a situation almost unparalleled for a sitting MLA. Multiple women and a trans woman came forward with accusations against Rahul Mankootathil. Initially, the allegations surfaced without specific names but later were directly leveled against Rahul, remaining largely unaddressed for about 100 days. Rahul remained out of public sight for nearly a month before gradually resuming his public life. Several film personalities and others with significant social media influence publicly supported Rahul. He became a central figure in his constituency, Palakkad, during the local elections. Despite being distanced by some senior leaders, a large section of Congress workers and the majority of cyber Congress supporters continued to view Rahul as a star. It was widely believed that the allegations against Rahul would fade away, much like many other controversies in the state.
Just as it seemed the controversies were subsiding, one of the women directly submitted her complaint to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, dramatically altering the course of events.
**Rahul Mankootathil’s Timeline**
* **November 12, 1989:** Born as the youngest son of S. Rajendra Kurup and Beena in Mundapally, Adoor, Pathanamthitta.
* **November 21, 2023:** Elected as the State President of Youth Congress after Shafi Parambil, the then State President, stepped down.
* **November 20, 2024:** Became the candidate for the Palakkad legislative assembly by-election after Shafi Parambil resigned his assembly membership following his victory in the Lok Sabha election from Vadakara.
* **November 23, 2024:** Won the Palakkad constituency by-election with a record majority.
* **May 31, 2025 (Midnight):** Rahul Mankootathil visited PV Anvar, the Nilambur candidate, at his home for a secret discussion. Rahul stated that he met Anvar because Anvar was a critic of Pinarayism.
* **June 1, 2025:** Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan criticized Rahul Mankootathil’s visit to P.V. Anvar. V.D. Satheesan told the media that Rahul’s action was wrong and that the visit was made without the party’s permission.
* **June 16, 2025:** Nilambur by-election.
**Complaint Timeline**
* **March 17, 2025:** Allegedly secretly recorded the victim’s nude video on a mobile phone without consent at a flat.
* **April 22, 2025:** Allegedly raped her at a flat in Trikkannapuram, knowing she was pregnant.
* **Last two days of May 2025:** Allegedly raped her at Build Tech Summit 10-B flat in Palakkad.
* **May 30, 2025:** Given pills from Kaimanom, Thiruvananthapuram. Allegedly forced her to consume the pills without consent, inducing abortion, and threatened her not to reveal the information.
**Allegation Timeline**
* **July 28, 2025:** Rahul responded to the sexual harassment allegations against him with “Who Cares” in Palakkad.
* **August 19, 2025:** Film actress and former journalist Rini Ann George, who views Opposition leader V D Satheesan as a guardian figure, spoke in a private channel interview about a leader’s bad behavior. She claimed she was offered a star hotel room. She alleged that even after informing a senior leader, nothing was done, and instead, the leader was given a high position. Rini’s use of “Who Cares” in the interview adds weight to the allegations.
* **August 21, 2025:** Phone conversations and chats with the complainant woman are released. The conversations indicate coercion for abortion. A trans woman also claims Rahul approached her with the demand, “I want to rape you.”
* **August 21, 2025:** Resigned from the post of Youth Congress State President.
* **August 22, 2025:** Another woman complained that Rahul sexually assaulted her. Cyberattacks were launched against the complainants and journalists.
* **August 23, 2025:** Chats threatening to kill the survivor and the unborn child are released. The Women’s Commission took suo motu action. The Child Rights Commission sought a report.
* **August 24, 2025:** Dr. K. Asha, wife of AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, deleted her Facebook post criticizing Rahul Mankootathil following cyber-abuse from Congress members.
* **August 25, 2025:** Suspended from the Congress Parliamentary Party.
* **August 25, 2025:** Crime Branch registered a case.
* **August 25, 2025:** A special team was formed to investigate the case.
* **September 10, 2025:** Rini Ann George gave her statement to the investigating team.
* **November 25, 2025:** Senior Congress leader and MP K. Sudhakaran strongly supported Rahul.
* **November 25, 2025:** Strong differences of opinion within the Congress on the Rahul issue surfaced through leaders’ statements.
* **November 27, 2025:** A woman lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister.
* **November 28, 2025:** Nedumangad Valiyamala Police registered a case under non-bailable sections. The case was handed over to Nemom Police. A lookout notice was issued against Rahul.