KOCHI: The HC on Wednesday strongly rebuked businessman Boby Chemmanur for his decision to remain in the Kakkanad district jail despite being granted bail on Tuesday. The court asserted that if bail was granted, it can also be cancelled. Chemmanur tendered an unconditional apology, thereby averting further action by the court.
Chemmanur had been granted bail on Tuesday in a sexual harassment case registered by the Ernakulam Central police based on a complaint from an actor. However, he chose to stay in jail, citing solidarity with prisoners who, despite being granted bail, were unable to secure their release due to financial constraints. Upon learning of his protest, Justice P V Kunhikrishnan directed both the prosecutor and Chemmanur’s counsel to appear before the court on Wednesday morning, listing the matter as the first item.
The prosecutor informed HC that jail authorities had waited until 7pm on Tuesday with the release order, but Chemmanur refused to leave. The bench sternly warned Chemmanur against playing any ‘drama’ with the court, emphasizing that it had the authority to cancel his bail if necessary. The court noted that the bail order had been uploaded at 4.08pm on Tuesday and that the principal district judge had issued the release order by 4.45pm.
“Chemmanur need not act as the representative of remanded prisoners. The high court and the judicial system are here to protect their interests,” the court said. The court criticised his actions as a media stunt. It warned that if Chemmanur did not leave jail by noon, his bail would be cancelled and police would be directed to complete the probe within two weeks, requiring Chemmanur to face trial within a month.
Realising that the HC meant business, Chemmanur completed the necessary formalities and exited the jail on Wednesday morning. During the noon hearing, Chemmanur’s counsel tendered an apology to the court. The court asked the counsel to clarify whether Chemmanur had made statements to the media claiming his decision to remain in jail was to help other prisoners. The court sought a response by 1.45pm. In the post-lunch session, Chemmanur’s counsel explained that the alleged comments were a slip of the tongue and tendered an unconditional apology. The counsel also informed HC that the release order had only reached the jail on Wednesday morning. The court concluded the matter with a sarcastic remark, suggesting that Chemmanur was treated as though he had won an Olympic gold medal while walking out of jail.
Meanwhile, prison sources said Chemmanur’s legal team did not come on Tuesday with bail documents. “His team came today and all procedures were completed in 15 minutes. Only 10 prisoners are still here despite getting bail. We regularly report such cases to the district legal services authority, who in turn secure their release. We send the list of such prisoners to it every week,” said a source.
