Malayalam actor Vijay Babu arrested in sexual assault case
Malayalam actor and producer Vijay Babu was arrested by the Kochi City Police in relation to a sexual assault case on Monday, said reports. He was arrested when he appeared before officials at the Ernakulam Town South Police Station for questioning. As he was granted anticipatory bail by the Kerala High Court, he will be released on bail. Trigger warning: Mentions of sexual assault.
Why does this story matter?
Babu came under the scanner in April when a young female actor accused him of rape and sexual assault. Babu was absconding after getting booked, coming live on Facebook from Dubai in the midst of it, where he named the survivor on social media. Following this, he applied for anticipatory bail and returned to India only after securing it on June 1.
Babu to be taken to location of alleged rape
Deputy City Police Commissioner, Kochi, UV Kuriakose, said Babu's arrest was recorded on Monday. After the arrest, he would be taken to various locations, including the place where he allegedly raped the young actor, to collect evidence. As part of Babu's anticipatory bail order, the police were given limited custody of him from Monday (June 27) to July 3 from 9:00am to 6:00pm.
Babu had been absconding for around 40 days
"If the investigating officer intends to arrest the petitioner, then he shall be released on bail on the petitioner executing a bond for Rs. 5,00,000 with two solvent sureties each," the court order had said, per The News Minute. Notably, apart from staying in Dubai, Babu also spent some days in Georgia before flying back to the country earlier this month.
Babu attended AMMA meeting on Sunday, despite stay away promise
The complainant brought the charges against Babu on April 22 in Ernakulam. Then in May, Babu sent a letter announcing that he was stepping down from the executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) until proved innocent. This came after a lot of pressure from AMMA's recently-formed Internal Committee. However, Babu reportedly attended the association's general body meeting on Sunday.
