Kerala High Court Extends Stay On Sexual Assault Case Against 'Manjummel Boys' Director Chidambaram
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (July 30) extended the stay granted to Manjummel Boys director Chidambaram S. Poduval in the sexual assault case alleged against him.
On July 20, the Court had stayed all further proceedings in the committal proceedings pending against the director before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Economic Offences), Ernakulam. It had also issued notice to the de facto complainant.
When the matter came up yesterday, Justice Jobin Sebastian extended the stay and posted the case to September 11 (Tuesday) for awaiting return of notice to the complainant.
The prosecution allegation is that in the first week of May, 2022, Chidambaram trespassed into the bedroom of the de facto complainant with an intention to outrage her modesty and that he pressed on her breast.
On February 28 2026, a crime was registered by the Ernakulam South Police Station based on the First Information Statement of the de facto complainant for the offences punishable under Sections 354 [Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty], 354A(1)(i) [Sexual harassment] and 509 [Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman] IPC.
In March, the District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam had granted anticipatory bail to the director after noting that he had no criminal antecedents and there was a delay of 4 years in preferring the complaint.
In the bail plea, Chidambaram had contended that his behaviour with the de facto complainant was professional and it was she who, in fact, started a 'campaign' to tarnish his image and reputation. He had also alleged that the complainant posted a reel on her Instagram profile and made sexual assault allegations against him.
He had also submitted that he had approached the Bombay High Court and filed a damage suit against her and an interim order was granted in December 2025 restraining her from publishing defamatory news in any media platform. According to him, the present case was falsely created by her to counter the legal consequences of publishing defamatory content against him.
The petition is moved by Advocates Saijo Hassan, Nagaraj Narayanan, Benoj C Augustin, Abraham J. Kaniyampady, Sangeeth Mohan, Bappu Galib Salam, Devi.R.Sens, V.P.Rejitha, Sreyas Sreekumar, and Midhuna Biju.
Case No: Crl.MC No. 6026/2026
Case Title: Chidambaram S. Poduval v. State of Kerala and Ors.