Interpol 'Blue Corner' notice against rape accused actor Vijay Babu
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Kochi: Interpol issued a 'blue corner' notice against Vijay Babu, Malayalam actor-producer, who has been accused of rape. The Kerala Police said that he is currently on the run and is believed to be in Dubai.
According to the police, Babu fled the country following a rape accusation from a female film colleague. The actress from Kozhikode filed a complaint against him in the Ernakulam police station on April 22, 2022. In the complaint, she stated that she was assaulted physically and sexually at a flat in Kochi. The actor was also accused of forcefully intoxicating her prior to the sexual abuse.
Kochi City Police Commissioner CH Nagaraju said that Interpol has issued a 'blue corner' notice, and that all the necessary steps would be taken to ensure that he is bought back to the country at the earliest in order to further the investigation. A blue corner notice, according to the Interpol, is issued in the instance where additional information is required about a person's identity, location or activities pertaining to a crime.
Vijay Babu has claimed that he was the 'real victim' when he went live on his social media handle as soon as the news broke out. Naming his complainant in the live, he has said that he would take appropriate legal steps against her.
The News Minute reported that the police has filed a secondary case against Babu for revealing the name of the female complainant in addition to the primary rape case. Following the complaint against him, Babu filed an anticipatory bail plea in the Kerala High Court, while on the run. However, the court gave him no recourse. The case is posted to be taken up on May 18 after the summer recess.
Babu has claimed, in his anticipatory bail petition, that the actor was trying to blackmail him. He also stated that he had all the evidences to prove his innocence including chat messages between him and the complainant which he is ready to submit it before the court.
In connection with the rape case, the Kerala police has already issued a lookout notice on April 28 against the actor. This means that he can be arrested if he lands at any port of entry into the country.