Kerala court denies anticipatory bail to Malayalam actress in POCSO case

A Kerala court on Friday denied anticipatory bail to a Malayalam actress who moved the Court apprehending arrest under Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) after a complaint was filed accusing her of sexually abusing her minor cousin [XXX v Public Information Officer, District Police Chief].

The actress herself had recently accused several prominent actors from the Malayalam film industry of sexual abusing her before her cousin filed a complaint against her.

Following the release of the Justice K Hema Committee report, the actress had accused actors and politicians including MLA Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu and Jayasurya of sexual assault.

Later the minor cousin came out against the actress prompting her to move Kasargod Sessions Court for anticipatory bail.

The Court rejected her bail application citing deficiencies in her petition, particularly the absence of specific details of the respondent police station where the case against her was registered.

"Defects not cured, Hence dismissed," the Court said while dismissing her plea.

The actress had filed her anticipatory bail plea on September 25 naming the respondent as the Station House Officer of an unknown police station in Kasaragod.

The Court first took up the matter on September 30 and noted the lack of necessary details in the petition.

Despite granting her time to address these issues, the same remained unresolved prompting the Court to reject her application.

She was represented by advocate LY Sangeeth.

This pleas was part of a broader legal battle for the actress, who according to reports has filed anticipatory bail applications in 14 session courts across Kerala and has also approached the Kerala High Court and the Madras High Court for relief.

In her plea before the Kerala High Court, the actress has mentioned that several FIRs were registered against prominent members of the Malayalam film industry based on her allegations, which has put her in the spotlight.

She has further claimed that she is now facing a series of false allegations aimed at discrediting her with fake news circulating on both mainstream media and social media platforms accusing her of fabricating the abuse claims.