‘Manjummel Boys’ Director Chidambaram Gets Bail In Sexual Assault Case From Kerala Court

Filmmaker Chidambaram S Poduval, known for helming “Manjummel Boys”, was granted anticipatory bail by the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court on March 7. The bail was given based on a sexual harassment complaint filed following an incident in May 2022.

Issued by Sessions Judge KK Balakrishnan after considering the arguments presented by both sides, the court imposed conditions on the director, including his cooperation with the investigation and no attempt to influence the witness or tamper with the evidence.

On February 28, a case was registered at the Ernakulam South Police Station based on the complainant's statement. The complainant, who is an actress, claimed that in 2022, Chidambaram had assaulted her in an apartment in Kochi.

After that, a case was registered against the director under sections 74 (insulting the modesty of a woman) and 75 (sexual harassment) of the IPC.

The bail plea of the director was filed on March 3, and after hearing from both sides, the court reversed its decision.

However, the prosecution opposed the application for bail and pointed out the possibility of influencing the witnesses and causing an obstacle in the case.

"No criminal antecedents are pointed out against the petitioner. The nature of allegations does not suggest custodial interrogation of the petitioner. The incident was in the year 2022. There is a delay of 4 years in filing the petition. Moreover, the Hon'ble Bombay High Court passed an order against the de facto complainant restraining her from publishing any defamatory contend in any platform. The FIR is registered on 28.02.2026. The investigating officer reported that she is not cooperating with the investigation. Considering all the above said aspects, I am of the view that this is a fit case to invoke the jurisdiction vested u/s.482 of BNSS to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner," the Court observed as per Live Law.