Kochi, 08 July (H.S.):

Malayalam actor Tiny Tom has approached the Ernakulam Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail in a criminal case registered against him by the Kadavanthra Police following a complaint lodged by actress Ansiba Hassan.

The anticipatory bail plea comes after the police registered a case pursuant to a direction issued by the Ernakulam Sessions Court. The court has now sought a report from the investigating officer and is expected to consider Tiny Tom’s bail application after receiving the police report.

According to Ansiba’s complaint, Tiny Tom allegedly made defamatory and offensive remarks against her by referring to her as a “jihadi” and spreading allegations that she had attempted to convert certain individuals to another religion. She also accused the actor of making statements that insulted her dignity as a woman.

Based on the complaint, the Kadavanthra Police registered a case against Tiny Tom under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The charges include Section 74, relating to insulting or inappropriate behaviour towards a woman; Section 75, which deals with sexually coloured remarks; Section 79, concerning the use of obscene or insulting expressions against a woman; Section 299, pertaining to acts that promote enmity or hatred on religious grounds; and Section 302, which relates to deliberate acts intended to outrage or hurt religious feelings.

The legal proceedings stem from an order issued by the Ernakulam Sessions Court on June 30 directing the police to register a case on Ansiba’s complaint after examining the allegations made by the actress.

In his anticipatory bail petition, Tiny Tom has sought protection from arrest during the course of the investigation. The Sessions Court has not yet taken a decision on the plea and has instead called for the police's version of the case before proceeding further.

Once the investigating officer submits the report, the court will hear arguments from both sides and decide whether anticipatory bail should be granted.

The case has attracted considerable attention in the Malayalam film industry, as it involves allegations of defamatory, communal and gender-insensitive remarks by one actor against another. The investigation by the Kadavanthra Police is currently underway, and further legal proceedings will depend on the findings submitted before the Sessions Court.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman