Accused of misbehaving with woman journalist, actor-politician Suresh Gopi seeks anticipatory bail

Kochi (Kerala) [India], December 29 (ANI): A month after being questioned by the Kerala Police in connection with a complaint by a woman journalist in a case of alleged misbehaviour, actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi filed an anticipatory bail application in Kerala High Court.
The High Court sought the government's consent in the petition.
Earlier in November, Suresh Gopi appeared at Nadakkav police station in Kozhikode for questioning accompanied by BJP leaders. Gopi is a BJP leader and ex-MP of Rajya Sabha.
On October 28, the Kerala Police registered a case against Suresh Gopi for allegedly misbehaving with a woman journalist while he was interacting with reporters in Kozhikode.
The case was registered under section 354A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Nadakkav police station in Kozhikode after the woman journalist filed a complaint against the actor to the district police commissioner, said police.
Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertains to assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty. The punishment for violating this section is imprisonment for a term of at least one year, which may extend to five years, and a fine.
A purported video of the incident shows Gopi responding to a question posed by the journalist with 'Mole' (daughter) and placing his hand on her shoulder. The journalist moves back and then when she asks a second question, the actor again places his hand on her shoulder and the journalist is seen pushing away his hand.
Gopi later apologised to the journalist on whose shoulder he put his hand twice while responding to questions by media persons.
The actor, in a social media post, said he had behaved in a friendly manner towards the journalist and tendered an apology for his alleged misbehaviour saying that he meant to treat her with affection.
"If she felt bad about my behaviour, her feelings should be respected. I tender an apology towards her if she had felt bad about my behaviour. Sorry...," the actor-turned-politician said in a Facebook post.
However, the journalist said the apology seemed to be an "explanation" rather than an apology. (ANI)