The Kerala High Court today directed Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani, against whom a case has been lodged for allegedly roughing up two forest officials, to appear before police for interrogation on May 25.
Justice S Sateeschandran issued the direction while disposing of an anticipatory bail application filed by Mani.
The court also directed the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Chalakudy, to grant bail to Mani after his interrogation is over.
In the event of being granted bail, the court said, Mani should furnish a bond of Rs 50,000 along with two solvent sureties of the like amount.
The court directed Mani not to intimidate witnesses and cooperate with investigating officials.
The actor claimed he was innocent and was abused by the forest officials when he tried to prevent them from insulting his friend's wife who was in his car.
An FIR was lodged against the actor under Section 506 (criminal intimidation), 322 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servants from duty) and 249b (uttering obscene words) of IPC, the police said.
According to the complaint, Mani objected to his car being searched by the two officials when they stopped his vehicle while it was passing through Kannamkuzhi.
Mani and his friends allegedly pushed aside the beat forest officer and the deputy range officer, and drove away from the spot. After some time, they returned to the forest office and allegedly roughed up and abused them.
