Thiruvananthapuram: Activist and TV commentator Rahul Easwar has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody in connection with the case involving allegations of rape and forced abortion against suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. The arrest was made on Sunday, and the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court denied Easwar's bail plea on Monday. Easwar is accused of defaming the complainant and revealing her identity during a televised debate and through social media posts.
The Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police took Easwar into custody following a complaint filed by the survivor, alleging that Easwar and others were targeting her on social and traditional media, questioning her integrity, and hinting at her identity, causing her trauma. Easwar has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. These include sections related to insulting the modesty of a woman, disclosing the identity of a victim, and criminal intimidation.
The court, in its decision to deny bail, stated that the allegations against Easwar were serious and that releasing him at this stage could impede the ongoing investigation and send the wrong message to the public. The court also emphasized concerns about making remarks against a survivor in an ongoing case, particularly through social media. Easwar has been shifted to Poojappura district jail.
Police also conducted a search at Easwar's residence in Powdikonam, seizing his laptop and other electronic devices, which they believe were used to upload content against the complainant. The prosecution informed the court that YouTube videos containing sexually colored remarks had already been recovered. They argued that his custody was needed to trace additional electronic devices and prevent possible tampering with digital evidence.
Easwar has claimed that he did not receive any notice prior to his arrest and characterized his arrest as "a freedom struggle for men". He also alleged that the police were pressuring him to criticize MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. Despite his arrest, Easwar asserted that he would continue to speak in support of Mamkootathil.
Meanwhile, the case against Rahul Mamkootathil has intensified. The MLA, who represents Palakkad, has been accused of rape, forced abortion, and other offenses. According to the FIR, he allegedly raped the woman multiple times under the pretext of marriage, recorded videos of her, and blackmailed her. He is also accused of illegally procuring medicines and forcing her to terminate her pregnancy. Mamkootathil has been suspended from the Congress party and faces non-bailable charges. He has denied the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated. He remains absconding, and authorities have conducted searches at his Palakkad flat.
The Kerala Police have warned that strict action will be taken against anyone circulating information about the survivor, with instructions given to district police chiefs to enforce this directive and seize any digital devices used to spread such content.
