In a significant development, activist Rahul Easwar was released on bail by the Principal Sessions Court in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. The case revolves around allegations of insulting and disclosing the identity of a survivor in a sexual assault case involving MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.
Bail Granted After Multiple Rejections
The court's decision came after Easwar's plea for bail was rejected on two previous occasions. Easwar had spent 16 days in judicial custody before being granted relief. During the hearing, the activist informed the court that he did not knowingly commit any offence. However, the prosecution strongly opposed the bail, arguing that the accused had to be taken into custody twice due to non-cooperation with the investigation.
Details of the Case and Charges
The case was initiated based on a complaint filed by the woman, who alleged she was abused and targeted through social media platforms. The Cyber police arrested Easwar last month in connection with this complaint. The police registered the case against six individuals, including Easwar and Congress leader Sandeep Warrier.
The primary allegation is that they shared information on social media that could lead to the identification of the survivor, which is a serious violation of legal protections afforded to victims of sexual assault. The charges framed in the case are severe and include:
- Disclosure of the survivor's identity.
- Insulting the dignity of a woman.
- Criminal intimidation.
- Misuse of electronic communication devices.
These offences collectively carry a maximum punishment of up to two years of imprisonment upon conviction.
Ongoing Proceedings for Co-accused
While Easwar has secured bail, the legal process continues for the other accused. The court has deferred the hearing on the bail plea filed by Congress leader Sandeep Warrier to Tuesday. This indicates that the judicial scrutiny in this sensitive case, which touches upon the privacy and safety of a sexual assault survivor, remains ongoing and stringent.
The case highlights the critical importance of protecting survivor anonymity in sensitive legal battles and the potential legal repercussions for violating such norms, especially in the age of social media where information can spread rapidly.
