'You are filing a case after 17 years, don\'t men have dignity?\', Kerala HC got angry while granting bail to actor Balachandra Menon

While hearing the bail plea of ​​actor and director Balachandra Menon, the Kerala High Court said that men also have dignity. The case registered against him is related to the year 2007, but the case was filed now. He was booked for outraging his modesty for intimate assaulting an actress during the shoot of a film. On Wednesday (December 11, 2024), the court granted anticipatory bail to Balachandra Menon, saying that not only women but men also have dignity.

Justice PV Kunhikrishnan was hearing the case. A case was registered against Balachandra Menon in September this year after the release of the Justice Hema Committee report. Balachandra Menon had argued in his petition that the complaint was made 17 years after the date of the alleged incident in 2007 and the purpose of doing so was only to tarnish his image.

The High Court said that his arguments have merit as it is an accepted fact that the alleged incident took place in 2007. The court said, \'It is an accepted fact that the victim complained 17 years after the alleged incident. It is worth accepting the fact that the petitioner (Menon) is a famous cine artist. He directed about 40 films and received two National Awards. He was also honored with Padma Shri by the nation.\'

Justice Kunhikrishnan said, \'The present case has been registered based on the statement of a woman, and that too after 17 years. The investigation is indeed going on, but everyone should remember that dignity is not only of women but also of men.\' The High Court said that this is a suitable case to grant bail to the petitioner in the interest of justice.

The High Court directed Balachandra Menon to appear before the investigating officer within two weeks from Wednesday for questioning. The court said, \'If after the inquiry, the investigating officer proposes to arrest the petitioner (Balachandra Menon), then the actor will be released on bail on a bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the same amount to the satisfaction of the concerned officer arresting him. The Kerala High Court directed that Balachandra Menon will appear before the investigating officer for interrogation when required, cooperate in the investigation, and will not give any inducement or threat directly or indirectly to any person acquainted with the facts of the case...'