In a major setback for activist Rahul Easwar, the Vanchiyoor Additional Sessions Court has denied his bail and ordered that he remain in police custody until tomorrow evening. The case pertains to allegations that Easwar publicly humiliated the survivor in the Rahul Mankoottil rape case.
Easwar had filed a bail application before the district court, which is scheduled to hear the plea again on December 6.
Police sought his custody to investigate possible conspiracy angles and to conduct a detailed search of Easwar’s office. The court accepted the request, granting investigators wider scope in the case.
The Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police registered the case, prompting Easwar to argue that the charges were “fabricated” and that he had not disclosed the survivor’s identity. The court, however, rejected these claims.
Easwar maintained that he had merely commented on issues connected to the case registered against the MLA and accused the CJM court of denying him bail without reviewing his videos. His bail plea was filed through High Court lawyer Alex K. John.
Rahul Easwar, who had earlier been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody, is currently on a hunger strike inside the jail, adding further tension to the unfolding developments.
