Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A Thiruvananthapuram court on Monday granted bail to right-wing political commentator T G Mohandas, who was arrested over alleged objectionable remarks in a YouTube video concerning a student protest in New Delhi linked to the NEET paper leak controversy.
Thiruvananthapuram Additional Chief Judicial First Class Magistrate Mithun Gopi G S granted bail after Mohandas, 71, was produced before the court for remand proceedings. He had been taken into custody from his residence in Mattancherry, Kochi, on Sunday evening, with his arrest formally recorded on Monday morning.
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Police have registered the case under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act and the Kerala Police Act. The Cyber Police also informed the court that additional charges had been invoked relating to words, sounds, gestures or objects intended to insult a woman’s modesty, as well as criminal intimidation involving severe threats.
The prosecution sought custody for further investigation, arguing that Mohandas was influential and could potentially influence witnesses or tamper with evidence if released.
The defence, however, cited his age and health condition and argued that the offences were bailable. His counsel also pointed out that police had not filed a separate custody application and had not served him a notice to appear for questioning despite 11 days having passed since the case was registered.
The court subsequently granted bail and directed Mohandas to appear before the investigating officer for three days as part of the probe. He was also asked to appear before police whenever required and directed not to repeat a similar offence while on bail.
The case was registered following a complaint alleging that videos uploaded on Mohandas’ YouTube channel, ‘Pathrika’, were intended to disturb public peace and create fear and unrest.
According to PTI, in the video, Mohandas allegedly said the Delhi students’ protest “could lead to incidents of gang rape” and claimed that there would be no complaints because “those attending the protest like rape and there are girls who enjoy being raped”.
He further claimed that although some people would be killed or permanently injured, the situation would be brought under control within hours and the bodies shifted to hospitals.
Police subsequently collected information related to his YouTube account and seized digital devices allegedly used to create and upload the video.
Following his production before the court, SFI activists gathered outside the premises, shouted slogans and displayed posters opposing Mohandas.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders S Suresh, A N Radhakrishnan and Shone George met Mohandas at the police camp. BJP state general secretary S Suresh said the party did not endorse Mohandas’ remarks but defended his right to face criticism.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar also said the party was “100 per cent” opposed to the remarks, while alleging that Mohandas’ arrest was being used to divert attention from the alleged poor performance of the state government.
CPI(M) leader E P Jayarajan, however, criticised the BJP and RSS for defending Mohandas. He alleged that the government’s delay in arresting him suggested an “adjustment” with the RSS and BJP and questioned why action had not been taken earlier.
– Ends
with inputs from PTI
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
