Kerala High Court grants anticipatory bail to BJP's Suresh Gopi accused of misbehaving with woman journalist

The Kerala High Court on Monday granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam cine actor and former BJP Member of Parliament (MP) Suresh Gopi in a case registered against him for allegedly touching a woman journalist inappropriately during a press interaction in Kozhikode..While granting anticipatory bail, Justice Sophy Thomas directed Gopi to appear before the investigating officer on January 24, 2024. Should Gopi be arrested, the Court directed that he be released on bail upon executing a bond of ₹25,000 and two solvent sureties each of like sum..Gopi stands accused of committing the offence under Section 354 (assaulting or using criminal force on a woman with the intention to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).In his anticipatory bail application, Gopi contended that this case as well as another tax evasion case against him were registered to stir up political sentiments against him and wreak vengeance for purportedly spearheading the case of the depositors in the Karuvannur Co-operative Bank scam.It was submitted that Gopi was being thronged by press personnel, including the women journalist in question, as he was trying to leave an event. He was merely attempting to pass the woman who was allegedly blocking his way, the plea stated.Gopi argued that the offence alleged against him would not stand since he had no sexual motive in trying to move past the journalist in the presence of several press personnel.He further stated that he appeared before the police on the days that he was summoned and that he has cooperated in every way..Today, the Court was informed that the woman journalist has no objection to the grant of bail. The Court opined that Gopi's custodial interrogation would be unnecessary and allowed his plea for anticipatory bail..Gopi was represented by advocates BN Shiv Shanker, Tinu T Joseph and Sanoj MA.