Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], December 1 (ANI): Activist Rahul Easwar, who was taken into custody on November 30 in Thiruvananthapuram for allegedly defaming and revealing the identity of a woman accusing Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil of rape, has described his legal ordeal as a “freedom struggle for men.” Easwar alleged that the police violated Supreme Court guidelines while acting in the sexual-assault complaint case connected to the suspended Congress MLA.
Speaking to reporters during a medical examination, Easwar said, “This is a freedom struggle for men and this is against the Arnesh Kumar verdict. Police are claiming that they have served me notice, but they have not served me any notice. This is blatant disregard of Supreme Court verdict.”
Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police detained Easwar following a complaint from the survivor, alleging that he insulted her on social media. His detention followed investigative actions over the previous 24 hours in the case involving the suspended MLA.
Meanwhile, a Kerala Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted a joint search and collected evidence from Mamkootathil’s flat in Palakkad on Sunday as part of the ongoing sexual-assault investigation. Officers from both units also carried out inspections at the MLA’s residence and nearby premises linked to the case.
Mamkootathil, the Palakkad MLA, has been booked under multiple non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for alleged rape, criminal intimidation, and coerced abortion. His friend, Joby Joseph, has been named as the second accused.
According to the FIR, the survivor was allegedly sexually assaulted by Mamkootathil on March 4 at her flat in Thrikkannapuram, Thiruvananthapuram. He allegedly recorded explicit videos of her without consent after threatening her. The second accused allegedly provided abortion pills while driving her in a car.
A non-bailable case under eight sections has been filed against the MLA, including repeated rape, rape by a person in a position of trust, and causing miscarriage without consent. Mamkootathil remains untraceable, and a lookout notice has been issued as police conduct a statewide search, including in Tamil Nadu.
The case gained prominence after the survivor submitted a formal complaint to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on November 27. Mamkootathil has filed an anticipatory bail plea in the Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court, with a hearing scheduled for December 3. The Congress party had suspended him from membership, while opposition parties like the BJP and CPI(M) are demanding his immediate resignation as an MLA.
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