Window Seat Row: Man Accused Of Misbehaving With Malayalam Actress In Flight Moves Court For Anticipatory Bail

The man accused of harassing a renowned Malayalam actress onboard an Air India flight in a dispute over occupation of the window seat, has approached a Sessions Court in Ernakulam seeking anticipatory bail.

The petitioner, Anto C.R., is alleged to have misbehaved with the actress (the de facto complainant herein) while in transit from Mumbai to Cochin in an Air India flight.

Denying the allegations, Anto claims he was tired after attending a Techno Expo and had found comfort in the vacant window seat in 12th row of the aircraft, while his actual seat was the aisle seat of the same row. Subsequently, he heard the de facto complainant argue with the air hostess, stating that the window seat belonged to her for the duration of the journey. 

Anto submits that he had politely informed the air hostess that he was ready to occupy his original seat, which was occupied by his friend. However, in the meanwhile, Anto claims the air hostess had offered another comfortable middle seat to the actress, thereby settling the dispute. 

The plea states that Anto was surprised to find screenshots of the defacto complainant from social media the next day, alleging misbehaviour against the person who sat on his original seat. It is averred that the entire allegation is concocted and that Anto had no role in the alleged incident. He submits that he is being threatened by the police officials of being charged with non-bailable offences, and put behind bars. 

"The 2nd respondent [SHO, Nedumbassery] handles this case in order to satisfy the pressure exerted by a highly influential person, that is the de facto complainant who has stardom," the plea states.

The petitioner also states that the territorial police jurisdiction belongs to the Mumbai Police as per Cr.P.C., and that the present investigation initiated by the 2nd respondent was thus illegal. 

It is thus, on apprehension of arrest, that the petitioner has approached the Court, seeking anticipatory bail. 

The present plea has been moved through Advocates Rebin Vincent Gralan, and Dinesh G. Warrier.

Case Title: Anto C.R. v. State of Kerala & Anr. 

Case Number: Crl. M.C. No. 2972/ 2023