A district court in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday delivered a significant ruling, denying bail to right-wing observer Rahul Easwar. He was arrested for allegedly cyber harassing the survivor in the rape case filed against Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. The court ordered him remanded in judicial custody for 14 days, following which he will be shifted to the Poojappura sub-jail.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
The Thiruvananthapuram cyber police took Rahul Easwar into custody based on a serious complaint. The allegation stated that he publicly revealed the identity of the sexual assault survivor and made derogatory comments targeting her on social media platforms. After a detailed interrogation session, the police formally recorded his arrest.
In a related development, the Ernakulam rural police registered two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) against the owners of Facebook profiles. These profiles were used to share images of the survivor. The cybercrime police station in Ernakulam initiated these cases suo motu, meaning on its own motion.
Initially, the charges were bailable. However, recognizing the grave nature of the offences, the police invoked stronger legal provisions. This includes the serious charge under Section 75(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with sexually-coloured remarks against women and is a non-bailable offence. Other charges encompass revealing the survivor's identity, insulting her dignity as a woman, cyber abuse, and the misuse of electronic communication platforms.
Court Proceedings and Prosecution's Stance
Opposing the bail plea in court, the prosecution presented a firm argument, labeling Easwar as a habitual offender. To substantiate their claim, they presented material evidence retrieved from his laptop, which included videos specifically targeting the survivor. After carefully considering the arguments put forth by the prosecution, the district court rejected Rahul Easwar's bail application. He will undergo a mandatory medical examination before being lodged in jail.
Background and Wider Cyber Attack Campaign
The coordinated cyberattacks against the survivor escalated shortly after she submitted her formal sexual assault complaint against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil to the Chief Minister. According to police investigations, organized online campaigns originated from social media groups linked to the followers of Mamkootathil. These campaigns focused on circulating the survivor's photos and attempts to expose her identity publicly.
Several individuals who expressed support for the survivor also found themselves targeted online. In a concerning twist, photos and personal details of the survivor were even shared online by some Congress functionaries. These posts were later removed following widespread criticism for blatantly violating her privacy and legal protections.
Acting on the severity of the situation, ADGP (Law and Order) H Venkatesh had earlier directed all district police officers to take strict action against any such posts. He characterized these actions as intimidation tactics clearly aimed at silencing a complainant.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Action
The police investigation is currently progressing on two parallel tracks: the primary sexual assault allegation against the MLA and the connected cyber offences. Officials have indicated that based on the digital footprint gathered during extensive surveillance, more legal action is likely in the near future. The case highlights the growing challenge of online harassment aimed at survivors of sexual violence and the legal system's response to it.
