The Kerala High Court has granted bail to film director Dhinil Babu in an alleged case of sexual assault and casting couch after noting the stage of trial and the period of incarceration already undergone by him. The High Court, however, noted that a prima facie case of "casting couch" practices was made out, wherein the accused allegedly lured the complainant into a room under the pretext of discussing a script.

The Bail application before the High Court was filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), by the sole accused in a case registered under Sections 74, 75(1), and 126(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The Single Bench of Justice Jobin Sebastian stated, “A perusal of the available records indicates a prima facie case of "casting couch" practices, wherein the accused allegedly lured the complainant into a room under the pretext of discussing a script. Given the specific allegation that the accused outraged the modesty of the complainant by physical molestation, such conduct constitutes a serious affront to the dignity of women. Consequently, offences of this nature, which exploit professional aspirations for sexual gratification, must be dealt with by the Court with a heavy hand.”

“However, the petitioner was arrested in this case on 03.12.2025 and has been in judicial custody since then”, it noted while also adding, “Moreover, the presence and cooperation of the petitioner during the ongoing investigation can be adequately ensured by imposing stringent condition.”

Advocate Babu S. Nair represented the Petitioner, while Senior Public Prosecutor Renjith George represented the Respondent.

Factual Background

It was alleged that the accused, with the intention to satisfy his lust, invited the de facto complainant, who is an aspirant to act in films, to come to the office of a film production company. He allegedly promised to give an opportunity to act in a film in which Dulquar Salman was doing the lead role. Accordingly, when the de facto complainant reached the said office, the accused took the de facto complainant to a room under the pretext of discussing the story of the said film and wrongfully restrained her, thereby outraging her modesty.

Reasoning

The Bench expressed concern over the allegation that the petitioner, a director of feature films, induced the de facto complainant to visit a film production office under the guise of offering her a role, only to subsequently restrain and molest her.

On a perusal of the facts of the case, the Bench noted that the petitioner was arrested in this case on December 3, 2025 and has been in judicial custody since then. The medical examination, including the potency examination of the accused, was completed.

Considering the period of detention already undergone by the petitioner, the present stage of the investigation and the fact that the presence of the petitioner during the ongoing investigation could be adequately ensured by imposing stringent conditions, the Bench granted him bail. Asking the petitioner to execute a bond for Rs.50,000 with two solvent sureties each, the Bench imposed certain other conditions.

Cause Title: Dhinil Babu v. The State Of Kerala (Neutral Citation: 2025:KER:98890)

Appearance

Petitioner: Advocates Babu S. Nair, K.P.Dhaneesh

Respondent: Senior Public Prosecutor Renjith George

Click here to read/download Order


Kerala High CourtJustice Jobin Sebastian

Tulip Kanth

Assistant Editor

Tulip Kanth is an Assistant Editor at Verdictum having over 5 years of experience in the field of legal journalism and editing. She extensively covers judgments of the Supreme Court, High Courts as well as Tribunals. She has previously worked with a legal publishing website where she oversaw the work of other editors and has also created updates on notifications of different Government Ministries. She holds an English Honours Degree from SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi University and has completed her LLB course with specialisation in Corporate Law from Amity University.