Honey Rose vs Boby Chemmanur: Gold jewellery businessman held in sexual harassment case

Dubai: Kerala businessman Boby Chemmanur was arrested and detained by Kochi police on Wednesday following Malayalam actress Honey Rose's sexual harassment complaint, according to reports

Boby Chemmanur was reportedly taken into police custody for questioning from his estate in Wayanad, Kerala. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been assigned to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.

According to a report in Mathrubhumi, a complaint was filed with the Ernakulam Central Police on January 7 by Rose, alleging that Boby made obscene gestures and sexually suggestive remarks towards her during the opening of Boby's store opening in Kannur.

The actress also accused him of online harassment, along with 30 others for flooding her social media with sexist comments.

Chemmanur, known for his eccentric public persona, has denied the allegations, claiming he had no “ill intentions.”

A few days ago, Honey Rose took to social media to share details of the alleged incident, which took place in August last year. She explained that she had been invited to inaugurate his jewellery showroom in Kannur, a professional engagement that later turned unpleasant. She didn't speak up at that time because she did not want to "spoil the event".

"This incident occurred four months ago and deeply disturbed my family," Rose said after filing her complaint. She further alleged that Chemmanur exhibited obscene behavior toward her.

“You place your faith in your wealth, while I place mine in the strength of India’s legal system,” she declared in her social media post.

She also wrote that she's now ready to wage a war against anyone who insults her based on her wardrobe choices.

"I don't have any issue about making fun or creative criticism about my appearance or dressing. But such references and gestures should exercise restraint. 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," she wrote in that post.

Following her series of posts accusing Boby of inappropriate behaviour, Kerala film body, Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), also condemned the social media attack against the actress and promised her support.

Initially, Honey had not mentioned Boby Chemmanur's name but just accused him of humiliating her relentlessly with sexually-loaded remarks.

Meanwhile on January 6, the Kerala High Curt ruled that commenting on a woman's body can amount to sexual harassment while dismissing a petition seeking to quash criminal proceedings against a man accused of such behaviour.