Supreme Court Exempts Kerala Journalist from Surrender in Sexual Remarks Conviction Case

The Supreme Court has granted interim relief to Kerala-based journalist Aravindan Manikoth by exempting him from surrendering in a 2013 case involving sexually coloured remarks against a woman political leader.

The Court noted that Manikoth had already paid the compensation awarded by the trial court and that the sentence imposed was imprisonment until the court rose.

Issuing notice to the State of Kerala, the Court said the interim protection would continue until the State files its reply.

The conviction under Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code was upheld earlier by the trial court, Sessions Court, and the Kerala High Court.

[Aravindan Manikoth v. State of Kerala]