The Kerala High Court on Friday granted conditional bail to Malayalam YouTuber Santhosh Varkey, popularly known as Arattannan, in connection with his arrest for allegedly making a defamatory Facebook post targeting women in the film industry.
Varkey had been taken into custody after a social media post, dated April 20, 2025, went viral, in which he allegedly referred to “all women in the cinema industry as prostitutes.” The post attracted widespread public condemnation and triggered legal action, with a woman actor filing a formal complaint.
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered under Sections 75(3) read with 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. These provisions deal with sexual harassment, insulting the modesty of a woman, and the electronic transmission of obscene material, respectively.
Justice MB Snehalatha, while granting bail, noted that the accused had already spent 11 days in judicial custody and that further custodial interrogation was unnecessary. The Court emphasized that the investigation was ongoing and that there was no pressing need to continue the detention.
“Prima facie, a Facebook post has been made by the accused containing a disparaging remark. However, no custodial interrogation is required at this stage,” the Court observed.
Bail was granted with strict conditions, including a prohibition on Varkey making or publishing any similar derogatory statements on social media platforms during the pendency of the case.
During the hearing, Varkey’s counsel, Advocate Alex K John, argued that the allegations, even if accepted at face value, did not warrant charges under the IT Act and amounted at most to defamation.
Varkey expressed willingness to comply with the Court’s conditions, paving the way for his release.
The case highlights the growing legal scrutiny of online content and the balance between freedom of expression and protection against cyber abuse.
