Kerala High Court orders restraint on arrest of actor Vijay Babu

The Kerala High Court judge observed that in the interest of the survivor, investigation agency as well as that of the petitioner, it was necessary that Vijay Babu be protected from arrest for a limited period

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the police not to arrest actor-producer Vijay Babu in the rape case filed by a woman actor till June 2.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, however, ordered that the actor, on his arrival, shall appear before the investigation officer, who is free to interrogate him. The court also directed the immigration officers not to arrest him till June 2.

Counsel for the actor submitted that the actor had got a confirmed ticket for his travel from Dubai to Kochi on June 1.

The judge observed that in the interest of the survivor, investigation agency as well as the petitioner, it was necessary that the petitioner be protected from the arrest for a limited period.

The court passed the interim order when an anticipatory bail petition filed by the actor came up for hearing. The court posted the petition on June 2 for further hearing.

During the hearing, the court said that survivor would be benefited if the petitioner was allowed to come and subject to the jurisdiction of the investigation officer. The court pointed out that he had been remaining elusive for one and half months. The petitioner was ready to come to Kerala and face the investigation. However, he feared his arrest if he lands in Kerala, the court noted.

Counsel for the petitioner pointed out that the actor in fact wanted to come to Kerala and booked his tickets for travel on May 30. However, he had postponed his travel because of the fear that the police would arrest him on his arrival.