Kerala High Court Stays Proceedings Against Actor Edavela Babu In Sexual Harassment Case

The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted an interim stay on further proceedings in a sexual harassment case against Malayalam movie actor and former General Secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) Edavela Babu. The order was passed by Justice A. Badharudeen in a case filed by the petitioner to quash the FIR lodged at the Nadakkavu Police Station under Sections 354A(1)(ii) (demand or request of sexual favours), 354A(1)(iv) (making sexually colored remarks) and 509 (acts, words or gestures intended to insult a women's modesty) of Indian Penal Code..The complainant, a woman, alleged that Babu sought sexual favours from her for getting membership in AMMA. As per her complaint, she contacted Babu through phone for getting membership of AMMA and for asking to get some opportunities in movies. She claimed that when she said that she can afford only Rs. 1.5 lakhs and did not have the full Rs. 2 Lakh to pay for the membership, Babu told her that the money can be adjusted if she can “adjust”. Babu claims that the complaint is false and concocted. He submitted that certain procedure has to be followed to grant membership of the Association and he cannot unilaterally take a decision in this regard. Further, he submitted that the membership fee was only Rs. 1 Lakh and therefore the complainant had made false allegations against him by saying that he demanded Rs. 2 Lakh for AMMA membership.He further argued that even if the statement is accepted, there is no prima facie case. Babu's counsel submitted,“Even for an argumentative view, all that can be inferred from her statement is that she can pay some amount now and then later pay the balance amount…. There is absolutely no element of demanding or requesting any sexual favours”It was further argued that there is an unexplained delay of 6 years in filing the FIR and that itself is fatal to the prosecution.The Ernakulam Sessions Court had earlier granted anticipatory bail to Edavela Babu in another case.The case is next posted to 18th NovemberThe plea has been moved by Advocates Abraham Mathan and PP Harris Case Title: A. Babu Chandran @ Edavela Babu v State of KeralaCase Number: CrlM.C. 8877 of 2024

Kerala High Court Stays Proceedings Against Actor Edavela Babu In Sexual Harassment Case

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