Kochi: Police is on the lookout for Malayalam film actor and producer Vijay Babu over a #MeToo allegation.
Vijay is not in Kerala at present, said Kochi Deputy Commissioner of Police U V Kuriakose on Wednesday.
However, the actor confirmed that he is in Dubai and available for contact by anybody.
A probe into the sexual abuse case against Vijay, which was registered on Tuesday, is meanwhile progressing.
The complainant filed the case at the Ernakulam South police station.
One more case?
There are reports that a new case will be charged against Vijay for revealing the name of the complainant. Police said they will investigate the incident where the actor took to Facebook Live to talk about the allegation and repeatedly named the female actor in the process.
Disclosing the identity of victims of certain offences (including sexual) is punishable as per law. Vijay Babu, however, said he was willing to face the consequences.
“A new chapter in #MeToo”
Vijay, in his Facebook Live, claimed to be the 'real victim' and said he will file a defamation case.
Claiming that he was scripting "a new chapter in #MeToo", Vijay Babu repeatedly named the female actor in his Facebook Live past midnight Wednesday.
Vijay said he was ready to go public with the screenshots of the chats he had with the actor, with whom he associated with for a Malayalam movie that he produced.
"I haven't done anything wrong. I'm the victim in this. The so-called law of this country protects her and she is at ease while I'm the one who is suffering," said Vijay.
"I will file defamation and a counter-case. It won't be a small case. I won't let her get away that easily. I can share all the proof with me but I won't because I don't want to cause damage to her family.
"I'm answerable only to my wife, mother, sister and friends. And I don't want this to end with a piece of small news saying, 'Vijay Babu found not guilty'," said the 45-year-old.
Vijay Babu said he has known the actor since 2018.
"I haven't chatted with her between 2018 and 2021. She came for an audition and got her role. All these talks about casting couch and all.. it is I who is suffering.
"She started sending messages saying she was depressed from December till March. I have all her messages, and over 400 screenshots. Whatever allegations she may have, rape or consensual, I have all on record," said Vijay Babu.
In 2017, producer Sandra Thomas had filed a complaint of assault against Vijay Babu. That time too he had taken to Facebook claiming the charges were fake.
