The Elusive Leader: Rahul Mamkootathil's Escape Act Continues

Well, it seems the dragnet nearly closed in on Rahul Mamkootathil, the State Vice President of the Youth Congress, who's been quite the elusive figure lately. You see, he’s a wanted man in an alleged assault case against a woman in Thiruvananthapuram, and for a moment there, police thought they had him cornered. The special investigation team, or SIT, from the Kerala Police had meticulously tracked him down to a flat in Mangaluru, Karnataka.

Imagine the scene: officers arriving, hopes high, only to find the hideout... empty. Just like in the movies, he had apparently vanished just moments before their arrival. It's a classic cat-and-mouse, isn't it? Authorities now strongly suspect he simply hopped across the border into Karnataka, likely using the Talapady check post in Kasaragod district. And wouldn't you know it, CCTV footage from that very check post seems to corroborate this, showing him making his way into the neighbouring state.

This isn't just a simple disappearance; it’s a calculated move. Sources indicate he hasn't been staying put, instead moving between various locations, including a relative's home in Kodagu, often referred to as Coorg, a picturesque hill district in Karnataka. It paints a picture of someone actively trying to stay one step ahead, perhaps leveraging local connections or familiar territory to keep his pursuers at bay.

The whole situation stems from a rather serious incident during the Congress party's 'Padyatra' – a foot march – from Padayattra to the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram back on February 10th. A woman filed a complaint, alleging that Mamkootathil assaulted her and, disturbingly, even attempted to remove her clothes. Based on her statement, a case was promptly registered against him at the Cantonment police station. It's a deeply troubling accusation, adding significant weight to the police's relentless pursuit.

Of course, in situations like these, legal battles often run parallel to the physical chase. Mamkootathil had initially sought anticipatory bail from the Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court, hoping to avoid arrest. However, that request was swiftly denied, pushing him to appeal to the Kerala High Court for the same relief. He, for his part, maintains that the entire complaint is nothing more than a politically motivated fabrication. It's a common defense, of course, but it certainly doesn't diminish the gravity of the charges or the determination of the police to bring him in.