Why Sanal Edamaruku's arrest has left Indian rationalists flustered, divided

While Edamaruku’s organisation, Rationalist International, decries his arrest as politically motivated persecution, Finnish court documents reveal that Edamaruku was recently convicted of aggravated embezzlement over a fraud complaint filed by a fellow rationalist from Kerala, Prameela Devi.

‘Politically-motivated witch hunt’

According to a press release issued by Rationalist International on April 5, Edamaruku was detained at Modlin Airport in Warsaw on March 28 while en route to speak at a human rights conference. The arrest was triggered by an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued by Indian authorities based on a longstanding complaint filed in Kerala. The case that had been simmering for nearly a decade has now erupted onto the global stage after the Kerala High Court rejected a petition by Edamaruku to quash it in December.

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Even though Rationalist International does not explicitly state it, the press release frames the arrest as part of a broader pattern of repression targeting outspoken rationalists in India. “This is not merely a legal matter. It bears all the signs of a politically-motivated witch hunt—one that seeks to punish a rationalist thinker for his decades of fearless advocacy,” the organisation said.

Who is Sanal Edamaruku?

Born in Kerala in 1955 to Joseph Edamaruku, a rationalist himself, Edamaruku rose to prominence as a public intellectual, challenging blind faith and religious orthodoxy. He has authored over 25 books and spoken in more than 60 countries, advocating for scientific temper and secular values.

One of his famous moments came in 2012, when he investigated a so-called miracle in a Mumbai church, revealing that water dripping from a statue of Jesus was caused by faulty plumbing, not divine intervention. The revelation earned him charges under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code and threats to his life. Choosing exile, Edamaruku moved to Finland, where he has lived ever since.

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However, the Federation of Indian Rationalists Associations (FIRA) says that the complaint against Edamaruku states that the Red Corner Notice against him has nothing to do with the blasphemy case. “To the best of our knowledge, the Red Corner Notice had been sent in connection with a criminal case for cheating filed by a rationalist who had been relieved of Rs 15 lakh on the pretext of getting employment for her in Finland,” said the statement issued by FIRA.

Uncertain of logical conclusion: Complainant

"After Sanal Edamaruku's arrest, I received a call from the Station House Officer of Alappuzha South Police Station, requesting details of the case to facilitate the preparation and translation of documents related to his extradition,” Prameela, the complainant, told The Federal.

“I asked them to keep the matter in abeyance, as I am yet to receive the compensation amount awarded to me by the Finnish court. I had requested that he be sent back to Finland so he would be compelled to comply with the court's order there. Initially, the police asked me to wait. However, last week they informed me that extradition to Finland would not be possible and that he would only be sent to India. I am now uncertain about how my case in Finland will reach a logical conclusion. The police have said they are helpless, as the matter involves international coordination through Interpol and the CBI,” added Prameela.

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Charges against Edamaruku

Prameela, a former supporter of Edamaruku and a rationalist from Kerala, had alleged that between 2015 and 2017, Edamaruku deceived her into transferring Rs 15.25 lakh (approximately EUR 21,000) by promising to secure her a student visa, work permit, and a job at Rationalist International in Finland.

The Finnish court documents, released in February 2025, show that Prameela transferred funds over multiple installments based on Edamaruku’s assurances. When none of the promised opportunities materialised, and her refund requests went unanswered, she filed complaints in both India and Finland. According to the court, Edamaruku ultimately provided her a job offer letter, but it was deemed unviable and used as leverage to continue extracting payments.

Court verdict

The Helsinki District Court found Edamaruku guilty—not of fraud, as the intention to deceive could not be proven—but of aggravated embezzlement, ruling that he knowingly kept funds entrusted to him for a purpose he failed to fulfil. The court observed that the money was not returned even after it was clear that no visa or employment was forthcoming. Edamaruku was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to repay the €21,000 with interest.

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While Edamaruku has denied all wrongdoing, the Finnish court found his claims—that the funds were voluntary donations—to be implausible. Prameela and her husband testified that they sold jewellery, took loans, and even used money from selling a relative’s motorcycle to fund what they believed was a legitimate pathway to life in Finland.

The court dismissed Edamaruku’s assertion that Prameela’s payments were driven by goodwill or admiration for his rationalist work. “Donating such a significant amount of money, even to a respected organisation, would be highly exceptional—especially when the donor took out loans to make those payments,” the judgment read.

Fellow rationalists demand accountability

The press release from Rationalist International does not acknowledge the Finnish court’s ruling and instead paints Edamaruku as a victim of “transnational repression”. It highlights the dangers he has faced, citing the assassinations of fellow rationalists Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, MM Kalburgi, and Gauri Lankesh as part of the same ideological backlash.

Fellow rationalists, meanwhile, have urged Rationalist International to address the issue with more honesty.

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“We were aware of the dispute between Prameela Devi and Sanal Edamaruku, and it was evident that Edamaruku had taken money from her and was avoiding repayment. He had also offered her a job in Finland, which we believe was not legally feasible. I suspect he was aware of this as well but still sent the offer letter to placate her. At one point, he claimed that he would repay the amount in installments,” said Paul Mathew a fellow rationalist based in Kerala.

Edamaruku’s arrest has divided opinion in the rationalist community. While many, including prominent academics and free speech advocates, continue to support him, others are voicing concerns about accountability and transparency within activist movements.

Question of jurisdiction

Despite the Finnish conviction, the matter remains complicated by questions of jurisdiction. Finnish authorities acknowledged that a related case was pending in India but ruled that this did not bar proceedings in their courts.

Meanwhile, Rationalist International has called for international solidarity using the hashtag #StandWithSanalEdamaruku and urged rights groups to apply pressure on Polish and Finnish authorities.

The Federal tried to reach out to Sakthy Edamaruku, daughter of Edamaruku, for clarifications on the case and the allegations raised by FIRA. Multiple attempts were made via email and online messaging platforms. However, no response has been received so far. This copy will be updated if and when a statement is received from Sakthy or any other representative from Edamaruku’s side.