Kerala HC quashes sexual harassment case against Boby Chemmanur after settlement with actress

The Kerala High Court on Thursday quashed criminal proceedings initiated against businessman Boby Chemmanur on allegations that he sexually harassed a Malayalam actress [CD Boby @ Dr Boby Chemmanur v. State of Kerala].

On July 3, Justice Jobin Sebastian had stayed further proceedings in the case till July 23 after noting that the complainant-actress had submitted that the dispute had been amicably settled.

The complainant filed an affidavit recording the settlement. The genuineness of the settlement has been verified by the public prosecutor, on the Court's directions.

The case involved allegations that Chemmanur had sexually harassed a Malayalam actress during an event held to mark the inauguration of one of his jewellery stores in Kannur. Chemmanur was booked under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (sexual harassment) and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act (publishing or transmitting obscene material electronically), after the actress filed a complaint.

The complainant had alleged that following the incident, she also had to face further harassment through sexually suggestive remarks made on YouTube and other social media platforms.

Chemmanur was arrested on January 8, 2025. His bail plea was initially rejected by a trial court. Later, he was granted bail by the Kerala High Court on January 14, 2025.

He also moved a petition to quash the case altogether, which has now been allowed by the Court following the settlement of the dispute.

Senior Advocate B Raman Pillai and Advocates MR Dhanil, Geo Paul, Sujesh Menon VB, Senitta P Jojo, Vidhuna Narayanan and T Anil Kumar represented Chemmanur.

Advocates Zakeer Hussain, KA Sangeetha and Lovewin Vinu represented the actress.