Kerala High Court grants anticipatory bail to actor Vijay Babu in rape case

Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Vijay Babu in rape case.

Kerala High Court on Tuesday, May 31 granted anticipatory bail to actor Vijay Babu in a rape and sexual assault case. He was booked for rape after a woman, also an actor, accused him of sexually assaulting her for movie roles.

The victim, in her complaint to the police, alleged that Vijay Babu tortured her several times at his apartment in Ernakulam by promising her better opportunities in the film industry. The victim alleged that Vijay Babu intoxicated her and sexually abused her without consent.

“When I was incapable of saying yes or no consciously, he used my body as a tool for his pleasure. He has forced himself on me and even forced me into oral sex in a car against my will. I was in a state of shock, incapable of talking or responding,” the victim said on the Facebook post.

However, on the night of April 26, Vijay Babu went live on Facebook, alleging that the young woman was torturing him and that he was the 'real victim'. "I haven't done anything wrong. I'm the victim. The law of this country protects her and she is at ease while I'm the one who is suffering," he said.

"She started sending messages saying she was depressed. From December 2021 till March 2022, I have all her messages, and over 400 screenshots. Whatever allegations she may have, rape or consensual, I have it all on record," he added.

Since the incident, Vijay Babu has been absconding.

On May 9, a local court in Ernakulam issued an arrest warrant against Babu as a prelude to issuing a Red Corner Notice (RCN), as he was suspected to have escaped to Dubai.