Businessman Boby Chemmanur apologises to actor for misconduct via social media post

More than a year after his arrest for allegedly making sexually loaded remarks against a Malayalam woman actor on social media and in person at an inaugural function, businessman Boby Chemmanur has issued an apology to her through an Instagram post, while also requesting her to withdraw the related case.

A special investigation team (SIT) had arrested him on January 8, 2025 following a complaint lodged by the actor. He was booked under non-bailable charges, including sexual harassment on charges of making sexually coloured remarks and for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.

Mr. Chemmanur had also courted controversy by refusing to be released from judicial custody despite being granted bail in the sexual harassment case, stating that he ‘wished to stand in solidarity with prisoners unable to come out of jail’ due to their inability to meet bail conditions. He later tendered an unconditional apology before the Kerala High Court.

“I have come to realise that my statements about (the actor) caused significant distress to her and her family. I deeply apologise for the harm I caused. I take full responsibility for my words and their impact. I have no intention of causing pain, and I hope that by offering this sincere apology, she will proceed to withdraw the case,” Mr. Chemmanur said in his post.

Actor responds

The actor responded that she appreciated the apology and accepted it. However, she remained non-committal about withdrawing the case. “I will take a decision after consulting my family and legal team,” she said.

The actor had also lodged another complaint against 30 individuals for allegedly posting sexually loaded comments beneath her social media post. In that post, she had stated that a person, whom she did not name, was stalking her and using innuendos to humiliate her after she declined his invitation to participate in certain events. She noted that the same person, seemingly in revenge, began attending functions to which she was invited. It later emerged that the individual in question was Mr. Chemmanur.