Manjummel Boys director Chidambaram S. Poduval receives anticipatory bail in sexual assault case A sessions court in Kerala has granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam filmmaker Chidambaram S. Poduval, best known for directing the hit film Manjummel Boys, in a case alleging sexual assault of an actress. The order was passed on March 7 by Sessions Judge K. K. Balakrishnan while allowing Poduval’s plea for pre-arrest bail in connection with a case registered by the Ernakulam Town South Police Station. According to the case records, the filmmaker has been booked under Sections 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman), 354A(1)(i) (sexual harassment), and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code. While considering the plea, the court noted the investigating officer’s submission that the complainant is currently residing abroad and has not been cooperating with the investigation. The court also recorded that no prior criminal antecedents had been reported against Poduval. Another factor considered by the court was the delay in filing the complaint. The alleged incident is said to have taken place in May 2022, while the First Information Report (FIR) was registered only on February 28, 2026—nearly four years later. The court further took note of a defamation case filed by Poduval before the Bombay High Court seeking damages against the complainant. In that matter, the High Court had reportedly restrained the de facto complaina... #anticipatory_bail #filmmaker_Chidambaram #Malayalam_filmmaker #Manjummel_Boys #director_Chidambaram #Boys_director #film_Manjummel #sexual_assault #receives_anticipatory #granted_anticipatory
Manjummel Boys director Chidambaram booked for sexual harassment in Kochi: Report Malayalam filmmaker Chidambaram, known for directing Manjummel Boys, has been booked by the Ernakulam Town South police in Kerala on charges of sexual harassment. The case was registered on March 2, 2026, following a complaint by a female actor alleging that the incident took place at an apartment in Kochi in 2022. As per a report by The Hindu, the police confirmed that the case has been filed under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The director has been charged under Section 74, which pertains to outraging the modesty of a woman, and Section 75, which deals with sexual harassment offences. According to reports, the complaint was submitted by a female actor who accused the director of sexually misbehaving with her during a meeting at a Kochi apartment in 2022. After reviewing the details provided by the complainant, the police proceeded to register the case and initiate an investigation. “The case against the Manjummel Boys director was registered the other day, the police confirmed on Monday (March 2, 2026). The case was registered based on a complaint by a female actor,” officials said. Authorities stated that the complaint was processed in accordance with established legal procedures. The investigation is currently in its early stages, with officers gathering statements and examining evidence relevant to the allegations. Further action will depend on the findings of th... #Chidambaram #Ernakulam_Town #Town_South #Chidambaram_booked #filmmaker_Chidambaram #Malayalam_filmmaker #Manjummel_Boys #Report_Malayalam #director_Chidambaram #South_police
