Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday quashed the criminal proceedings against businessman Boby Chemmanur in the sexual harassment case filed by a Malayalam actress, bringing an end to a high profile case that had drawn widespread attention since his arrest in January 2025.
Justice Jobin Sebastian allowed Chemmanur’s petition seeking to quash the proceedings pending before the Additional District and Sessions Court at Ernakulam, after recording that the dispute between the parties had been amicably settled.
The High Court had, on July 3, stayed further proceedings in the case after the complainant told the court that the matter had been settled.
The actress subsequently filed an affidavit confirming the settlement, following which the Court directed the Public Prosecutor to verify its genuineness.
After the prosecution confirmed the authenticity of the affidavit, the Court on Thursday formally quashed the criminal proceedings.
According to reports, Chemmanur had issued an unconditional public apology to the actress through social media for his conduct and requested her to withdraw the complaint, paving the way for the settlement.
The case arose from allegations that Chemmanur sexually harassed the actress during the inauguration of a Chemmannur International Jewellers showroom at Alakode in Kannur.
The complaint also alleged that after the actress declined invitations to attend subsequent promotional events, Chemmanur made sexually coloured remarks against her through YouTube channels and other social media platforms, causing her further harassment.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (sexual harassment) and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, relating to the publication or transmission of obscene material in electronic form.
Chemmanur was arrested on January 8, 2025, and remanded to judicial custody.
His initial bail plea was rejected by the trial court.
However, the Kerala High Court granted him bail on January 14, 2025.
The High Court had also criticised the delay in his release despite the bail order and warned that such lapses could even lead to cancellation of the bail.
(IANS)
