A court in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday granted bail to right-wing political commentator T G Mohandas, who was arrested over alleged remarks in a YouTube video concerning a student protest in New Delhi linked to the NEET paper leak.Mohandas was produced before the Thiruvananthapuram Additional Chief Judicial First Class Magistrate Court for remand proceedings. Judge Mithun Gopi G S granted him bail after hearing arguments from both sides.Police had taken Mohandas into custody from his residence in Mattancherry, Kochi, on Sunday evening. His arrest was formally recorded on Monday.ALSO READ | TG Mohandas arrest: Police to seek more charges, seized gadgets to undergo forensic analysisThe case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act and the Kerala Police Act. The Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police also informed the court that additional charges had been added for allegedly using words, sounds, gestures or objects intended to insult a woman’s modesty, as well as for criminal intimidation involving severe threats.The prosecution asked the court to allow Mohandas to remain in custody for further investigation. It argued that he was an influential person who could potentially influence witnesses or interfere with evidence if released.His defence opposed the request, citing his age and health condition. His lawyer also argued that all the offences invoked against him were bailable.After considering the submissions, the court granted Mohandas bail. It directed him to appear before the investigating officer for three days as part of the ongoing probe and to appear before police whenever required.
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The court also ordered him not to repeat a similar offence while he remains on bail.
What did he say
The case stems from a complaint against videos posted on Mohandas’ YouTube channel, ‘Pathrika’. The complaint alleged that the videos were capable of disturbing public order and creating fear and unrest.In one of the videos, 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.ALSO READ | ‘Rape’ remarks, viral video, midnight arrest: How TG Mohandas’ comments on Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest snowballed
