Kochi, Kerala — Less than twenty-four hours after a sexual harassment allegation was filed against him, renowned businessman Boby Chemmanur was arrested by Kochi City police. A female actor submitted the complaint, alleging that Chemmanur made sexually suggestive comments on social media and during an inauguration event.
Arrest Details
On the morning of January 8, 2025, Chemmanur was captured by a special investigation team (SIT) under the direction of the Inspector of the Ernakulam Central Police. According to sources, the arrest took place in Wayanad, a district distant from Ernakulam. He will soon appear in court after his arrest is officially documented at the Central Police Station.
Charges Filed Against Chemmanur
Boby Chemmanur has been charged under non-bailable sections, including:
- Section 75(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which addresses sexually colored remarks as a form of sexual harassment.
- Section 67 of the IT Act, which pertains to publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.
These charges reflect the seriousness of the allegations and the digital evidence provided by the complainant.
Background of the Case
On January 7, 2025, the actor personally complained to the Ernakulam Central Police Station, which sparked the start of the case. Significant digital evidence was presented in the complaint. This is the actor’s second complaint against others who are said to have engaged in similar behavior.
She had previously complained about 30 people for leaving derogatory remarks on her social media pages. In relation to the first instance, the police detained one person, a 60-year-old Kumbalam resident named Shaji. The remaining defendants, many of whom have removed their social media identities and comments, are still being investigated.
Statement from Police
Assistant Commissioner C. Jayakumar, supervising the investigation, stated, “We treat every case with equal seriousness, regardless of the individual involved. The action against Boby Chemmanur underscores our commitment to justice.”
Actor’s Response and Social Media Post
The actor publicly addressed Chemmanur on social media shortly after she lodged her complaint. After she turned down invites to events he had planned, she accused him of stalking and using voyeuristic obscenities. Her post said:
“I have lodged a complaint at the Ernakulam Central police against you for continuously making voyeuristic slurs at me. Complaints against others having similar psychological makeup like you will follow. You may trust the might of your money. I have strong faith in India’s legal system.”
The actor’s earlier post on January 5, 2025, hinted at being stalked and humiliated by an unnamed individual after rejecting their event invitations. Reports have since identified this individual as Boby Chemmanur.