Thiruvananthapuram: Activist Rahul Easwar has been denied bail yet again, with the Thiruvananthapuram First Class Magistrate Court ruling that granting him relief at this stage would “send the wrong message to society.” Easwar was arrested for allegedly mocking and insulting the woman who filed a rape complaint against MLA Rahul Mankootathil.
Rejecting his anticipatory bail plea for the fourth time, the court accepted the prosecution’s argument that Easwar has not cooperated with the investigation. The prosecution stressed that his repeated social-media videos targeting survivors of sexual assault cannot be ignored, and freeing him now would embolden similar behaviour.
The court noted that Rahul Easwar had made derogatory remarks against the complainant and that such acts must be viewed seriously, especially in cases involving the dignity of a sexual-assault survivor.
Although Easwar expressed readiness to delete the controversial video, the police have intensified their stance, insisting that he must be taken into custody for proper interrogation. Officers told the court that Easwar has “not cooperated in any manner” with the ongoing investigation.
As the case gains national attention, the court’s firm stand signals a zero-tolerance approach toward attacks on survivors and interference through social media.
