Kerala Hindutva ideologue T.G. Mohandas granted bail in case over derogatory remarks against student protesters
The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday granted bail to Hindutva ideologue T.G. Mohandas in a case related to alleged derogatory and
The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday granted bail to Hindutva ideologue T.G. Mohandas in a case related to alleged derogatory and inflammatory remarks he made in a YouTube video against students who participated in the protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Mohandas was formally arrested by the Thiruvananthapuram Cybercrime Police earlier in the day after being brought from Kochi, from where he was taken into custody from his residence on Sunday evening.
The court granted him conditional bail after directing him to appear before the investigating officer for three consecutive days and fully cooperate with the investigation. He was also directed to appear before the police whenever required. The police invoked various provisions, including Sections 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and 353(1)(b) (statement conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 66 (computer-related offences) of the Information Technology Act, and Section 120(o) (causing nuisance through any means of communication) of the Kerala Police Act against Mr. Mohandas, former head of the BJP’s intellectual cell in Kerala.
Additional charges were also reportedly added over alleged use of words, sounds, gestures or objects intended to insult a woman’s modesty, along with allegations of criminal intimidation involving serious threats. During the proceedings, the prosecution opposed bail, arguing that the accused was an influential person and could potentially influence witnesses or interfere with evidence if released. The defence, however, opposed continued custody, citing his age and health condition, and argued that the offences invoked were bailable.
The police had earlier seized Mr. Mohandas’ laptop and mobile phone as part of the investigation. When he was being brought to the court after medical examination, SFI activists staged a black-flag protest. The police had made security arrangements around the court premises in view of the possibility of demonstrations. The protest remained largely peaceful.
The BriefWire