Rahul Easwar Continues Imprisonment as Rahul Mamkootathil and Sandeep Warrier Secure Bail
Social media influencer Rahul Easwar has been imprisoned for 11 days in connection with a case of insulting a woman who filed a complaint against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil on social media. In contrast, Rahul Mamkootathil, who was absconding in two separate sexual assault cases, has secured anticipatory bail in the second case. Adding to the disparity, Congress leader Sandeep Warrier has also avoided arrest in a case concerning the disclosure of the first complainant’s identity against Mamkootathil; his anticipatory bail plea is set for reconsideration on December 15, with the prosecution assuring no arrest until then.
MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was granted conditional anticipatory bail by the Thiruvananthapuram Principal District Sessions Judge S. Naseera. The case stemmed from a complaint by a 23-year-old Bengaluru resident alleging rape after being taken to a homestay. Mamkootathil is required to report to investigating officers every Monday and refrain from influencing witnesses. The court stipulated that should he be arrested, he must be released on bail. The High Court had previously stayed his arrest in the first rape case, which is also scheduled for reconsideration on the 15th, allowing Mamkootathil, who had been in hiding, to return to Kerala.
Rahul Easwar’s legal ordeal began on November 30 when police took him into custody for allegedly insulting the initial complainant against Rahul Mamkootathil. He was subsequently arrested and jailed. His initial bail application was rejected by the Thiruvananthapuram ACJM court, leading him to initiate a hunger strike. This protest was met with sharp criticism from the court during a subsequent bail hearing. The court asserted that such tactics would not be tolerated, deemed his actions serious offenses, and suggested that granting bail would encourage similar strategies. Easwar subsequently ended his hunger strike. His lawyer had indicated that his client was not mentally sound.
Despite Rahul Easwar’s offer to withdraw social media posts, the court denied bail, emphasizing the gravity of the offense. The Thiruvananthapuram Judicial First Class Magistrate Court (IV) dismissed his bail plea, stating that granting bail to an uncooperative individual would undermine the legal system. This marked the second rejection of Easwar’s bail. An earlier attempt to file concurrent bail applications in different courts by separate lawyers was rectified, and an apology was tendered to the court.
The court rejected Easwar’s defense that he had not insulted the complainant, concluding that he would likely re-offend if released on bail. The prosecution’s arguments were upheld, with the court noting that Easwar had posted on social media even while in custody. Easwar’s lawyer offered to remove any related video or photo. The defense argued for bail on the grounds that all requested documents had been retrieved, but the prosecution countered that Easwar’s lack of cooperation, including his refusal to provide a laptop password, significantly hampered the investigation. This led to the petition’s dismissal.
Rahul Easwar, identified as the fifth accused, claimed during a medical examination, “The doctor said there would be kidney problems. I have been without water for four days and without food for five days. It’s been 11 days. This is a case where station bail should be granted.” He remains incarcerated while KPCC General Secretary Sandeep Warrier and other co-accused remain out on bail. The cyber police registered a case against six individuals based on the survivor’s complaint, including Mahila Congress Pathanamthitta District Secretary Ranjitha Pulickan (first accused), advocate Deepa Joseph (second accused), another Deepa Joseph (third accused), Sandeep Warrier (fourth accused), Rahul Easwar (fifth accused), and a vlogger from Palakkad (sixth accused).