YouTuber Rahul Easwar was on Monday remanded to 14 days judicial custody after he was arrested on charges of defamation and revealing the identity of an alleged survivor who accused MLA Rahul Mamkootathila of rape and forced termination of pregnancy.
Thiruvananthapuram Additional Chief Magistrate Elsa Catherine George rejected his bail application after observing that releasing the accused at this stage could potentially hamper the investigation. The court also emphasized that comments made against the survivor in an ongoing case, especially through social media, are a serious matter and cannot be taken lightly.
Mr. Easwar, the fifth accused in the case, was arrested by the Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police under sections 72 (publication of identity of victim of certain offences), 75(1)(iv) (making sexually colored remarks), 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 3351(1) and intimidation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Information Technology Act.
“Sexual Notes”
Opposing his bail plea, the prosecution informed the court that the investigation team had already found YouTube videos containing sexually-tinged remarks. In addition, the detention of the accused was necessary to trace other electronic devices and prevent the possible manipulation of digital evidence that could adversely affect the ongoing investigation.
While the accused was arrested on Sunday evening, the investigation team took him to his house at Powdikonam in the city on Monday to seize his laptop, which was allegedly used to upload content on his social media handles. The contents reportedly revealed the survivor’s identity.
As Mr. Easwar was escorted to his house, he told the media that he was pressured to stop speaking in support of Mr. Mamkootathil. He claimed that he would continue to defend the Palakkad MLA despite such tactics.
Six persons including Congress leader Sandeep G. Varier were booked in the same case based on a survivor’s complaint. Mr. Varier, who is the fourth accused, had applied to the court for anticipatory bail following the arrest of Mr. Easwar.
Published – 01 Dec 2025 21:16 IST
