Right-wing observer Rahul Easwar was arrested on Sunday for allegedly sharing confidential information about a sexual assault survivor and making sexually-colored remarks against her. Easwar is expected to be presented in court on Monday morning. The police added a non-bailable charge under Section 75(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The allegations surfaced after the survivor filed a petition against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. Easwar reportedly disclosed the survivor’s personal details publicly shortly after the complaint was submitted to the Chief Minister. The cyber police had earlier visited Easwar’s residence and summoned him for questioning as part of the ongoing probe.
The survivor also lodged a police complaint regarding coordinated cyberattacks and online harassment. According to her complaint, abusive campaigns were allegedly organized through social media groups linked to Mamkootathil’s supporters. Her photographs and videos were reportedly circulated to expose her identity and shame her publicly.
Authorities have increased monitoring of related social media accounts. Those supporting the survivor online also faced harassment, suggesting a coordinated intimidation effort. The attacks escalated following the survivor’s petition to the Chief Minister, prompting ADGP (Law & Order) H. Venkatesh to direct district police chiefs to act immediately against such violations.
Some Congress functionaries allegedly shared the survivor’s personal information on social media, though many removed the posts after criticism. Additionally, Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan, who spoke out against Mamkootathil regarding the sexual assault allegations, faced cyber harassment. Unnithan claimed the attacks were orchestrated by Congress workers and warned that he may reveal further details if the harassment continued.
