Kerala High Court Grants Pre-Arrest Bail To Lawyer Accused Of Sexually Harassing Junior Lady Advocate
The same lawyer was earlier granted bail by HC in a case initiated by another lady advocate accusing him of the same offence.
The Kerala High Court recently granted pre-arrest bail to a lawyer, who is accused of sexually harassing a junior lady advocate practicing in Palakkad courts. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 605]
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath granted bail after observing that custodial interrogation was not necessary.
The prosecution allegation was that the petitioner/accused assaulted the de facto complainant by pressing on her buttocks while she was standing in front of the government pleader officer after finishing a case in the JFCM-II court. It is alleged that the act was done with sexual intent and that it outraged her modesty. A crime has been registered by the Palakkad Town South Police for the offence under Section 75(1) BNS [Sexual harassment].
The Court took note of the delay of around 3 months in lodging the FIR as well as the disputes existing between the accused/petitioner and the defacto complainant. It further noticed that another crime has been registered against him at the instance of another lady lawyer containing similar allegations and that pre-arrest bail was granted to him in that crime.
It observed:
“Even though the alleged incident took place on 26.05.2026, the FIR was registered only on 13.08.2026. It appears from the records that there exists dispute between the applicant and the members of the Bar. A similar complaint was lodged by another advocate against the applicant and a crime was registered. This Court has already granted pre-arrest bail to the applicant in the said crime...Considering the allegations made against the applicant, his custodial interrogation seems unnecessary.”
Thus, the Court allowed the plea and granted him bail on conditions.
Counsel for the petitioner: M. Revikrishnan
Counsel for the respondent: V. Vinay – Sr. Public Prosecutor