Police monitoring Honey Rose’s social media handles amid probe into derogatory comments, record her statement

Kerala Police monitor actor Honey Rose's social media for sexually derogatory comments; one arrest made. AMMA supports her.

The Ernakulam Central police in Kerala are keeping a close tab on the social media handles of actor Honey Rose in the wake of her complaint of sexually-loaded derogatory comments to her social media post. The police also recorded the statement of the actor who turned up at the station on Monday (January 6, 2025).

So far, the police have arrested one of the 30 accused named in the actor’s complaint. The arrested, identified as Shaji, 60, of Kumbalam, was released by a court on interim bail on Monday with a direction to reappear on Tuesday.

The case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 75 (sexual harassment) and the Information Technology Act Section 67 (punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form). The charges are non-bailable.

“We are closely monitoring the social media handles of the actor. Some of the comments have been released in the wake of her complaint. We are making efforts to retrieve these. We will take immediate action against any such similar comments that appear in the comment section of her social media handles,” said the police sources.

Shortly after the arrest, Ms. Rose in a Facebook post “declared war” against all those who indulge in sexual innuendos on behalf of all women who go through an ordeal similar to hers on social media. She said she has not appeared at any public function wearing any dress not permitted by the Indian legal system. “I am not responsible for individuals creating their own legal system based on their thoughts,” the post read.

“I don’t have any issue about making fun or creative criticism about my appearance or dressing. But such references and gestures should have to maintain a reasonable restriction. So, I will come after anyone who directs sexual innuendos at me by making use of all the protection extended to women under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” said the post.

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) has also condemned the social media attack targeting Ms. Rose and promised her all support.