Rahul Easwar Granted Bail in Cyber Attack Case Against Survivor

Thiruvananthapuram: Rahul Easwar, who had been in judicial custody following his arrest in connection with alleged cyber attacks on the survivor in the sexual assault case involving Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, was granted bail by a sessions court on Monday after 16 days in custody. The court allowed bail with conditions, directing him to appear before the investigating officer as required and restraining him from repeating similar offences. His bail pleas had earlier been rejected on multiple occasions.

The case was registered by the cyber police on a complaint filed by the survivor, alleging online harassment and abuse. Six persons have been named as accused in the case, including Congress leader Sandeep Warrier. Mahila Congress Pathanamthitta district secretary Ranjitha Pulikkan has been listed as the first accused. Congress-affiliated lawyer Deepa Joseph is the second accused, while another individual operating an account under the same name is the third accused. Sandeep Warrier is the fourth accused, Rahul Easwar the fifth, and a vlogger from Palakkad is the sixth accused.

Rahul Easwar was taken into custody on November 30, after which his arrest was formally recorded and he was remanded to judicial custody. While in jail, he had announced that he would go on a hunger strike but later withdrew it.

Police have invoked charges including revealing the identity of the survivor, insulting the dignity of a woman, and criminal intimidation.