A district court on Monday granted bail to Rahul Easwar, a right-wing YouTuber and self-styled “Men’s Rights” activist. He was in judicial remand since November 30. The police had arrested him for defaming and intimidating the survivor in the rape case involving Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. Easwar allegedly revealed the survivor's identity to stop her from pressing charges. On release, Easwar claimed a conspiracy at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s level. He said his arrest aimed to silence him during the politically sensitive local body election period in Kerala. Easwar said the government wanted to keep focus on the sexual predation charges against Mamkootathil. This was to stop Easwar from highlighting the Sabarimala gold theft in media. His release saw theatrical celebrations. Supporters showered flower petals and garlanded him outside Poojappura Central Prison. TV crews waited eagerly for his departure. Easwar accused the police of lying to the court, saying they falsely claimed he ignored a summons for questioning. He added, "The prosecution lied in court that the State-side was yet to get the police report in the case to ‘ensure’ that I languished in a prison cell till the local body polls were over." His wife, Deepa Easwar, advised him to stop media interactions. He said, "I am listening to my wife’s counsel. The arrest has traumatised my family. My mother visited me in prison and pleaded that I not pursue my cause for a Men’s Rights Commission." In prison, Easwar had declared a hunger strike lasting four days. He stopped it after transfer to Poojappura Central Prison, which has a fully staffed infirmary. He said, "My fast was not against the police. It was for constituting a Men’s Commission." Rahul Easwar is the fifth accused in the case. The case names 20 others, including Deepa Joseph, Mahila Congress district secretary, and KPCC general secretary Sandeep Varrier.