Daijiworld Media Network- Kerala

Kerala, Aug 28: In a case concerning the alleged kidnapping and assault of an IT professional in Kochi, the Kerala High Court has granted actress Lakshmi R Menon temporary protection from arrest. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas’s order will remain in force until September 17.

The case began with a complaint filed by a techie who alleged that on August 24, after an altercation at a bar, he was chased by a group that included the actress. According to the complaint, the group intercepted his car near the North Railway overbridge, forcibly dragged him into another vehicle, and assaulted him before releasing him.

Ernakulam North Police have arrested three accused Mithun, Aneesh, and Sonamol who have been remanded to judicial custody.

In her anticipatory bail plea, Lakshmi Menon has denied the allegations, terming them false and fabricated to tarnish her reputation. She has claimed that the complainant and his friends were the aggressors, verbally and sexually harassing her and another woman at the bar. She further alleged that they were followed after leaving the venue and attacked with a beer bottle.