'They Are Journalists': Kerala High Court Questions POCSO Case Against Reporter TV Editors, Grants Interim Anticipatory Bail

Update: 2025-01-20 11:03 GMT
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The Kerala High Court on Monday (20th January) granted interim anticipatory bail to Malayalam news channel Reporter TV's consulting editor Arun Kumar K. and Sub-editor Shabas Ahammed. The duo is booked under Section 11(i) of the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually harassing a girl child through words and gestures.During the hearing Justice P. V. Kunhikrishnan orally enquired from the State why...

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The Kerala High Court on Monday (20th January) granted interim anticipatory bail to Malayalam news channel Reporter TV's consulting editor Arun Kumar K. and Sub-editor Shabas Ahammed. The duo is booked under Section 11(i) of the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually harassing a girl child through words and gestures.

During the hearing Justice P. V. Kunhikrishnan orally enquired from the State why the case was registered. The bench remarked, "Why are you registering this case, victim has no case...They are journalists, maybe they did it for..." It has asked the public prosecutor to get instructions.

As per the prosecution, the duo made distasteful comments about a participant in the State School Arts Festival.

Reportedly, the editors had a conversation between themselves during the Kalolsavam (an Art festival) where Arun Kumar pointing towards the manavatti (bride) of one of the oppana (dance) team and asked, “Did you see that Oppana girl again?” Reportedly, the video also includes Shahbaz making comments like “You look good” to the girl accompanied by a romantic song.

They mentioned in the bail petition that it was a tele-skit done with the permission of the child and their parents

"I think a prima facie case is made out by the Petitioner. If the petitioner is arrested in connection with Crime No .... he shall be released on his self bond", the Court ordered.

Case Title: Arun Kumar K. and Another v State of Kerala

Case No: BA 778/ 2025

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