32 cases filed against people defaming woman in Mamkoottathil case

Thiruvananthapuram: Police in Kerala have registered 32 cases against individuals who allegedly defamed the woman whose complaint led to suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil being booked for sexual assault, officials said on Thursday.

The Cyber Operations Wing of the police is actively monitoring online platforms where defamatory content or material against the complainant is being circulated. Investigations revealed that many individuals had shared the woman’s photograph, prompting authorities to begin registering cases from Monday.

An officer from the Cyber Operations Wing noted that several individuals have since deleted the photograph. The Wing is also keeping track of anyone sharing content that reveals the woman’s identity.

So far, bailable offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act have been invoked. Most of these cases have been registered at cyber police stations across various districts. Notices are being issued to the accused, with arrests to be made depending on evidence that emerges during the investigation.

Earlier, based on the complainant’s report, police had filed a case against activist Rahul Easwar and four others. Easwar was arrested, and a Thiruvananthapuram court later dismissed his bail plea.

With PTI inputs