The Kochi City police wasted no time in taking businessman Boby Chemmannur into custody following a complaint lodged by a woman actor accusing him of making sexually loaded comments on social media and in person. The swift action by the police underscores their commitment to addressing such serious allegations promptly.
As soon as the Ernakulam Central police registered the case on Tuesday evening, a special team was formed with the Central police inspector as the investigation officer, comprising cyber police officials under the supervision of Ernakulam Central Subdivision Assistant Commissioner C. Jayakumar. The team swung into action immediately, tracking down Mr. Chemmannur, who had spoken to media persons in response to the case registered on the actor’s complaint.
Subsequently, Mr. Chemmannur was tracked down to his farmhouse in Wayanad. The team set out for Wayanad almost immediately, lying in wait for him outside the farmhouse from the early hours. “We took him into custody when he emerged out of the farmhouse in his car. He put up no resistance,” said sources.
Reportedly, Mr. Chemmannur was on his way to Coimbatore to inaugurate his new jewellery shop along with an actor. Later, the actor inaugurated the store in his absence. There were reports that Mr. Chemmannur had tried to move for anticipatory bail immediately after the case was registered. “His custody was the culmination of our action initiated from the moment we registered the case on Tuesday evening. We make no difference between Boby Chemmannur and Shaji [the man arrested in connection with the first complaint lodged by the actor against 30 persons who allegedly made offensive social media comments],” said Mr. Jayakumar.
The Kochi team also received support from the Wayanad District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force team. Mr. Chemmannur was moved into the Armed Reserve camp at Puthurvayal, from where he was taken to Kochi in a convoy of a couple of police vehicles around noon.
Meanwhile, the actor, in a social media post, thanked the Chief Minister and the Kerala Police for their swift action in support of her fight for upholding the rights and protection guaranteed by the Constitution to an Indian citizen. “In these times, a knife or gun is not needed to finish off a person. It only needs vile, cruel, sexual innuendos and a planned campaign by a bunch of social media profiles. Social media hooliganism will be even sharper if there is a leader. There was no way I could not have resisted,” the post said.
The prompt action by the Kochi City police in arresting Boby Chemmannur highlights the efficiency and dedication of the police force in handling sensitive cases. It also sends a strong message about the importance of addressing allegations of sexual harassment with the seriousness they deserve.