Thiruvananthapuram: The Cyber Police here on Sunday arrested commentator and right-wing observer Rahul Easwar for allegedly revealing the identity of the woman who accused Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil of raping and impregnating her. Speaking to the media, Easwar’s wife, Deepa, said a team of police officers visited their house on Sunday and asked her husband to accompany them. His arrest was later recorded after interrogation at the AR Camp.

He will be produced before the Vanchiyoor court on Monday.

In a video shared on his social media pages, Easwar told his audience that the police had reached his house and asked him to accompany them with his laptop and mobile phones. It is alleged that Easwar revealed information that exposed the rape survivor’s identity during a debate on a television channel.

His wife argued that he would not dare to reveal the woman’s identity as he is aware of the law, and she criticised the police for registering a “false case” against him. She claimed that her husband merely expressed his opinion on men’s rights.

According to the police, six individuals, including Congress leader Sandeep G Varier, have been booked in the case registered based on the survivor’s complaint. They face charges of revealing the woman’s identity, outraging the modesty of a woman, intimidation, and misuse of electronic devices. If convicted, they could face up to 2 years' imprisonment.

Rahil Easwar is also facing non-bailable charge under section 75(3) of BNS which specifies punishment for committing sexual harassment by making sexually coloured remarks.

As per the FIR, Mahila Congress Pathanamthitta district secretary Ranjitha Pulickan is named as the first accused. Adv. Deepa Joseph and another person who handles a social media account in her name are the second and third accused, while a vlogger from Palakkad is listed as the sixth accused.

In her complaint, the survivor alleged that the six accused, who are supporters of the Palakkad MLA, were engaged in social media campaigns defaming her. She also claimed that her photographs and videos were circulated, exposing her identity and violating her privacy. She has attached the social media links of the posts made by the six accused against her in her complaint with the police.