Rahul Easwar Moves Kerala High Court for Anticipatory Bail Amid Actress’ Complaint Warning
Pranav B Prem
Right-wing activist and public commentator Rahul Easwar has approached the Kerala High Court, seeking anticipatory bail following a warning from a Malayalam actress indicating her intention to file a police complaint against him.
The backdrop to this development involves a sexual harassment complaint filed by the actress against businessman Boby Chemmanur last week. An FIR was registered, and Boby Chemmanur was subsequently arrested. His initial request for bail was denied by the trial court, and a new bail application is currently pending before the Kerala High Court.During the heightened media attention surrounding this case, Rahul Easwar participated in several television discussions. In these debates, he commented on the actress's choice of clothing, sparking controversy.
The actress subsequently took to social media to convey her distress, asserting that Easwar's remarks had caused considerable mental anguish to her and her family. She also indicated the possibility of initiating legal action by filing a formal complaint against him. In anticipation of potential legal proceedings and the registration of an FIR, Easwar filed a petition before the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.
In his petition, Easwar—who is a familiar face in media debates—maintained that his comments were intended as constructive criticism. He asserted his right to express his views on public matters and emphasized that he had no intention of defaming the actress. "The petitioner does not intend to slander the defacto complainant. However, the petitioner was merely critiquing the complainant's choice of attire, which could influence younger generations. The petitioner’s intention was only to offer advice regarding the dressing style of the complainant," the plea states.
The petition also clarified that Easwar did not support Chemmanur’s alleged actions nor sought to harm the actress's reputation in any way. Easwar is being represented by Advocates Alex K John, Ninan Thomas, Reena Jacob, and Gego George.
Cause Title: Rahul Easwar v. State of Kerala
