Kerala High Court grants interim protection from arrest to advocate BA Aloor in sexual harassment case

The Kerala High Court on Friday granted temporary protection from arrest to advocate BA Aloor in a sexual harassment case [Biju Antony Aloor v. State of Kerala]. .Justice PG Ajithkumar directed police to not arrest Aloor without giving notice as provided under Section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).The order will apply until the case is taken up next on February 5..The order was passed after Aloor moved the Court seeking anticipatory bail.Aloor is accused of sexual harassment which is punishable under Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC).Even though the public prosecutor pointed out that the offence is bailable, Aloor pressed for anticipatory bail contending that he fears he will be arrested on accusation of a non-bailable offence. .The Court directed the prosecutor to get instructions on Aloor's contention by Monday, February 5. .Aloor was represented by advocates Udayabhanu, Navaneeth N Nath, Rassal Janardhanan A, Abhishek M Kunnathu, Boban Palat, PU Pratheesh Kumar, PR Ajay and KU Swapnil..Aloor is no stranger to controversy having represented persons accused in several sensational cases including the Soumya murder case, the Koodathayi cyanide murders, and more recently the human sacrifice case. In 2022, the Bar Council of Kerala (BCK) initiated a suo-motu case against Aloor and his associates for violation of Standards of Professional Conduct and Etiquette during the court proceedings in a gang rape case in Kochi. Aloor held a press conference in response to the same where he alleged that persons with some personal vendetta against him had given wrong information to the BCK..[Read Order]