Right-wing commentator arrested after 'women enjoy rape' comment on student protest

Kerala Police formally recorded T G Mohandas's arrest over alleged remarks on a YouTube video about the Delhi NEET protest. Investigators seized his devices, sought takedown of the clip and indicated more charges may follow.

In Short

• Mohandas was taken from Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram
• Devices seized for forensic analysis and investigation
• Charged under multiple laws for inciting riot, spreading falsehood

Kerala police on Monday arrested right-wing political commentator TG Mohandas over remarks he made in a YouTube video about a student protest in New Delhi over the NEET paper leak, officials said.

Mohandas was taken into custody from his residence in Koovapadam in Kochi on Sunday and brought to the Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police Station around midnight, where his arrest was recorded. He will be produced before the concerned magistrate court later in the day, officials said.

Officials said the police team collected information about his YouTube account and seized digital devices used to create and upload the video. The seized gadgets will be presented before the court and sent for forensic analysis. Police officials also said they are looking to add more charges against Mohandas after further investigation.

At present, he has been charged with offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act and the Kerala Police Act for wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot, publishing or circulating false statements, rumours or reports, and causing nuisance to any person through any means of communication. Police said they have also asked social media operators to take down the video.

The case was registered on a complaint alleging that videos uploaded on Mohandas' YouTube channel, 'Pathrika', were intended to disturb public peace and create fear and unrest among the public.

In the video, Mohandas said the Delhi students' protest "could lead to incidents of gang rape" and claimed there would be no complaints because "those attending the protest like rape and there are girls who enjoy being raped".

He also said that, if he were in charge, he would impose a curfew and order the protesters to disperse and, if they refused, "open fire". 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 alleged that the videos were uploaded and circulated on July 24 and 25 with the intention of disturbing public tranquillity and creating unrest by spreading fear among those who took part in the protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Officials said police are also being cautious about possible protests near the police station and the court in Thiruvananthapuram, as a large crowd had gathered near Mohandas' residence when he was taken into custody on Sunday.

In sum, Mohandas has been formally arrested over the remarks in the video, his devices have been seized for forensic examination, and police said the investigation is continuing with the possibility of further charges.

- Ends