Kerala High Court today adjourned the bail application filed by businessman Boby Chemmanur after he was arrested on Wednesday in an FIR registered pursuant to a complaint by a movie actress alleging sexual harassment.

The Bench of Justice PV Kunhikrishnan adjourned the matter to Tuesday for the prosecution to obtain instructions.

The Court observed during the brief hearing that there is nothing special about the Petitioner for his plea to be considered out of turn and that it will only be considered after the public prosecutor gets instructions.

"I usually post it on the fourth day. It will come on Tuesday for instructions", the Bench said.

Senior Advocate Raman Pillai appeared for the Boby. The Senior Advocate submitted that the same Magistrate who declined the bail application of the petitioner had recorded the Section 164 CrPC statement of the Complainant. He submitted that Rule 70 of the Rules of Practice imposes a bar on the judge recording Section 164 CrPC statement hearing the bail application.

The Court observed that it is merely a procedural irregularity and that it would consider the said submission of the Petitioner and other documents produced by him on Tuesday.

"You should be very careful while making comments in the public. It is insulting to... We can consider on Tuesday", the Court told the Senior Advocate.

An offence under Section 75 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered against Boby. It is alleged that Boby Chemmanur made obscene comments against the actress at public functions as well as while talking on YouTube channels.

The Ernakulam Judicial First-Class Magistrate Court II had rejected Boby's bail plea on Thursday and had sent him to a 14-day judicial remand.

Boby Chemmanur, popularly known as 'BoChe' heads the Chemmanur International Group which owns Chemmanur International Jewellers, among various other large businesses. He is a popular figure on YouTube.

Justice PV KunhikrishnanKerala High Court

Verdictum News Desk