Sexually tinted remarks: Kerala HC stays proceedings after actress accepts Boby Chemmanur's apology

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has stayed further proceedings against businessman Boby Chemmanur in a case registered on the complaint of a Malayalam woman actor, after she informed the court that the dispute had been settled.

The stay applies to the trial court proceedings. The High Court acted after considering an affidavit filed by the actor stating that she had accepted Chemmanur's apology and that the matter had been resolved.

Apology precedes court order

Chemmanur had approached the High Court seeking to quash the case against him. While hearing the petition, the court sought the actor's response.

Earlier, Chemmanur issued a public apology through an Instagram post. He said he had realised that his remarks had caused distress to the actor and her family, apologised for the harm caused, accepted responsibility for his words and requested her to withdraw the case.

The actor later said she accepted the apology. Earlier, she had said she would decide on withdrawing the case after consulting her family and legal team. She has now informed the High Court through an affidavit that the dispute has been settled, following which the court stayed further proceedings in the trial court. Chemmanur’s petition seeking to have the case quashed remains before the Kerala High Court.

Case stemmed from harassment complaint

The case arose from the actor's complaint alleging that Chemmanur had made sexually coloured remarks during an inaugural function and later subjected her to cyber harassment.

She had also alleged that after she declined invitations to participate in certain events organised by his establishment, she was targeted through innuendos and online abuse.

Based on her complaint, a Special Investigation Team arrested Chemmanur on January 8, 2025. He was booked under non-bailable provisions, including charges related to sexual harassment through sexually coloured remarks and publishing or transmitting obscene material electronically.

He was later granted bail.