The Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to actress Lakshmi R Menon in a high-profile abduction and assault case. The court noted that the dispute was amicably settled, and the complainant raised no objection to the bail.
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NEW DELHI: The Kerala High Court granted anticipatory bail to actress Lakshmi R Menon in connection with an abduction and assault case. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the order on Wednesday, responding to a plea filed by the actress and two others implicated in the case.
The case originated from an incident on August 24 at a popular Kochi pub, Velocity, where a dispute reportedly broke out between the complainant, an IT professional, and Lakshmi R Menon, along with her friends. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Menon and her friends allegedly intercepted the complainant’s car, dragged him out, forced him into their vehicle, and assaulted him.
Menon faced serious allegations under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including kidnapping, wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and acts with common intention.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the court noted that the complainant had filed an affidavit stating that the matter had been amicably settled and that he had no objection to the granting of anticipatory bail to the petitioners. The court observed:
“The allegations in the FIR prima facie show that serious offences have been committed. However, an affidavit has been filed by the de-facto complainant stating that the matter has been settled and that he has no objection to granting anticipatory bail to the petitioners.”
In her bail plea, Lakshmi R Menon maintained that the allegations against her were false and motivated and insisted that she had no involvement in the alleged offences.
The court had earlier provided interim protection from arrest, and the latest order ensures that Menon and her co-accused are safeguarded as the case proceeds.
Appearance:
For the actress: Advocates Biju Balakrishnan, VS Rakhee, KJ Gisha, Akshaya S Nair and Jayakumar C
For the de-facto complainant: Advocate Vivek Venugopal
Case Title:
Lakshmi R Menon v State of Kerala and connected cases
Bail Application No. 11246/2025
