The Kerala High Court recently modified Malayalam actor-producer Vijay Babu’s bail condition in a rape case filed by an actress. The HC stated that the actor could not leave the state without the permission of the jurisdictional court.
The case is in relation to the two cases that have been filed against Vijay Babu by a Malayalam actress. The first is the sexual assault case, and the second is the disclosure of the complainant’s identity via social media.
The complainant alleges that the actor sexually assaulted a Malayalam actress at a flat in Kochi and has committed the offence more than once. She also claimed that the actor committed the crime under the guise of offering the woman movie roles.
The bail condition in the order dated 22.06.2022, which stated that the actor must obtain permission from the relevant court before leaving the state, was deleted by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who was hearing the case. It also modified the condition regarding the surrender of his passport.
The Court specifically stated that the modifications are being made in light of the fact that the investigation is complete and final report has been filed. Thomas stated, “After considering the facts of the case, particularly the conclusion of the investigation and the filing of the final report, I believe that condition no. 7 can be removed. In terms of condition 9, because the right to travel abroad is a fundamental right, the petitioner’s passport cannot be continuously surrendered, and because the passport has already expired, he must obtain a new one to travel as and when required.”
The HC further added, “The passport surrender condition will also be modified, and the passport will be returned to the petitioner. However, prior permission must be obtained for any travel undertaken by the petitioner after providing the itinerary, place of residence, and contact numbers during his stay abroad. “
Vijay babu argued in his bail application that the de facto complainant is attempting to blackmail him by filing this false case.
The victim then appealed to the Supreme Court against the High Court’s order granting anticipatory bail. However, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the actor’s anticipatory bail. It had, however, stated unequivocally that Vijay Babu shall not leave the state of Kerala without the court’s prior permission. He was also barred from making any social media posts about the case.
