Malayalam actor Vijay Babu arrested for sexual assault; to be released on bail

Well-known actor-producer Vijay Babu was arrested in Kochi on Monday (June 27) on the charge of raping a young actor.

Vijay Babu will be released on bail as the Kerala High Court had earlier granted him anticipatory bail in the matter.

While the court granted bail to Vijay, it permitted the Kochi police to question him for eight hours every day between June 27 and July 3. Also, the actor-producer will be released on only bail after executing a bond for Rs 5 lakh, the court had stated.

Also read: Sexual assault case: Malayalam actor Vijay Babu, who fled the country, is back home

The HC also warned Vijay Babu not to indulge in any form of attack through social media or other modes against the accuser or her family. The Malayalam actor is not allowed to leave Kerala without seeking permission from the jurisdictional court.

Kochi deputy city police commissioner U V Kuriakose said that Vijay will be released on bail only after collecting evidence from places where the alleged rape happened. The police will also record his statement thereafter.

The Kerala film industry was rocked by another scandal when a female actor accused Vijay Babu of sexually assaulting her, in the last month of April.

Another top Malayalam actor, Dileep, has been the prime accused in the abduction and sexual assault of an actress in a case that dates back to 2017.

Also read: Rape case: Malayalam actor Vijay Babu moves HC seeking bail

Now, Kerala police has registered a case against Vijay Babu, days after the woman, also an actor, alleged sexually assault. Babu said he is innocent and, in fact, the real victim of the case as he revealed the woman’s name in a Facebook live two days after the female actor registered a police complaint.

The woman lodged a complaint with the Kochi police on April 22 stating that Babu had sexually abused her several times and even raped her, promising roles in his films.