Kochi: In a major relief for South Indian actor Lakshmi Menon, known for her roles in Tamil film 'Kumki' and Malayalam film 'Avatharam', the Kerala High Court on Friday quashed an abduction case registered against her. Along with Lakshmi, three others were also booked in the case filed in August this year. Justice CS Dias revoked the FIR and all further proceedings after both parties settled their dispute outside the court. 

As per the case, Lakshmi and the co-accused allegedly assaulted and abducted an IT professional in Kochi on August 24. According to the complainant, an altercation occurred at Velocity Pub, Kochi, in the presence of the actress and other accused. The four-member gang then allegedly followed the complainant and his friend in their car, forced the complainant into their vehicle by verbally abusing him, and assaulted him while issuing death threats.

The Ernakulam Town North Police had booked the actor and three others under Sections 140(2) (Kidnapping or abduction in order to murder), 126 (Wrongful restraint), 296 (Obscene acts and songs), 127(2) (Wrongful confinement), 115(2) (Voluntarily causing hurt), and 351 (Criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The High Court quashed the case while considering the petition moved by the four accused. In their affidavit before the court, they stated that the dispute had been resolved amicably.

“In the result, the Criminal Miscellaneous Case is allowed. Annexure A1 FIR and all further proceedings in the crime registered before the Ernakulam Town North Police Station are hereby quashed,” the Court’s order said.

The de facto complainant had stated that the complaint was filed due to a misunderstanding.

Earlier, the High Court had granted anticipatory bail to the actress and the other accused, noting that the matter had been settled between the parties. 

(With inputs from Live Law)