Kochi: The Thiruvananthapuram Additional CJM Court has dismissed the bail application of Rahul Easwar in the cyber harassment case and remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days. He is accused of revealing the identity and details of a survivor in the Monakuttam sexual assault case.

The police acted based on URLs submitted by the complainant and took him into custody after questioning.

In a cybercrime case (Crime No. 169/2025), the Thiruvananthapuram Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court made serious observations while rejecting the bail plea of the 5th accused, Rahul Easwar.

The case alleges that the accused collected and circulated the survivor’s photographs and personal information on social media platforms including Facebook and YouTube, accompanied by sexually coloured remarks—violating laws that prohibit disclosure of a survivor’s identity.

The court noted that sections including BNS 72, 75(1)(iv), 79, 351(1), 351(2), and IT Act Sections 43 r/w 66 are applicable.

The judge stated that the nature and seriousness of the offences prevent the granting of bail at this stage. The investigation is in its early phase, and granting bail could allow tampering with digital evidence or influence over witnesses. Other accused are yet to be arrested.

Thiruvananthapuram: A Vigilance inquiry will be initiated into the printing and distribution of fake priority ration cards. The case involves hacking into the Food Department’s online Ration Card Management System to create and distribute fake cards. Two accused had already been arrested by the Vanchiyoor Police.

The Food Department has recommended a Vigilance probe to verify whether department officials were involved. Food Minister G. R. Anil has forwarded the file and recommendation to the Chief Minister. Once the CM’s office issues orders, a special team will take over the investigation.

Over several months, around 146 fake priority cards were distributed in Beemapally and Poonthura, charging ₹2,500–₹3,000 per card. Beemapally ration shop owner Sahad Khan and computer centre owner Haseeb Khan were arrested earlier.

The fraud shocked the department, as it involved hacking passwords and database details from within the department’s network. The scammers bypassed the strenuous procedures required for legitimate priority cards by manipulating the online system.

Suspicion arose when some cardholders received unusual SMS alerts, leading to the detection of the fraud. The details are believed to have been leaked from the Thiruvananthapuram City Rationing Office. The Vigilance probe is expected to uncover those behind the operation.

Under Operation Numkhor, Customs has returned one of the vehicles seized from actor Amit Chakkalakkal—a Madhya Pradesh-registered Toyota Land Cruiser. The vehicle was released on the basis of a bond and a 20% bank guarantee, with strict conditions: it cannot be used or taken outside Kerala.

Earlier, actor Dulquer Salmaan’s vehicle was also released under similar terms.

Meanwhile, Customs continues to investigate intermediaries involved in allegedly smuggling vehicles from Bhutan to Kerala using forged documents. The Enforcement Directorate has also initiated a parallel probe. Notices had previously been issued to Amit Chakkalakkal and Dulquer Salmaan regarding the case.

Rahul Mankootathil’s anticipatory bail application in the sexual assault case will be heard on Wednesday by the Thiruvananthapuram Principal District Sessions Court.

Rahul has been absconding since the woman personally submitted her complaint to the Chief Minister. His phone remains switched off, though his office continues to function and his vehicle is at his residence.

He faces charges including rape, with his friend Joby Joseph named as a co-accused.

Kollam: A vigilance court in Kollam has rejected the bail plea of former Thiruvabharanam Commissioner K.S. Baiju, who was arrested in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. Baiju, the seventh accused, has been remanded to the custody of the special investigation team until Saturday afternoon.

He allegedly played a key role during the handover of gold sheets to main accused Unnikrishnan Potti and in the preparation of the official mahazar.

Thiruvananthapuram: The mobile phone of the woman who filed a sexual assault complaint against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mankootathil has been taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The device is expected to undergo scientific examination as part of evidence collection.

Rahul’s bail plea was earlier postponed by the Thiruvananthapuram District Sessions Court to Wednesday. In the plea, Rahul reportedly admitted to having a physical relationship with the complainant but maintained that it was consensual, dismissing the rape allegation. He has also denied responsibility for the woman’s pregnancy, stating it was her husband’s and claiming she took the abortion medication on her own.

Rahul has alleged that the complaint is part of a CPI(M)–BJP conspiracy and claimed the woman was pressured by her employers—who allegedly have political ties—to file the complaint. Police registered the case after recording the woman’s statement, and Rahul’s associate Joby Joseph has been named as the second accused.