Jayan S, the Malayalam television actor who is also known as Adithyan Jayan, was directed by the Kerala High Court to surrender to the police in connection with a dowry harassment case lodged against him by his wife Ambili Devi, according to a PTI report published by The New Indian Express.
The order came in response to the anticipatory bail plea filed by Jayan in the case.
Justice Shircy V said the actor shall be released on bail, provided he furnishes a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties of the like amount, post his arrest and interrogation on Tuesday. The court laid down a few other conditions as well, including that he should appear before the investigating officer as and when required, cooperate with the investigation, and not tamper with the evidence. He was also ordered to not directly or indirectly threaten or induce any witness in the case, and to not visit the residence of his estranged wife.
Besides this, the court directed him to not cause any disturbance to the work of his wife — Ambili Devi — who is also an actor and runs a dance school, and to not give any interviews regarding their marital life nor pass any derogatory remarks which would affect her reputation. The wife was also directed not to give any interviews regarding their marital life.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, in April, Ambili Devi had filed a complaint against Jayan with the Chavara police in Kollam district regarding harassment over dowry and death threats.
Speaking to media persons, she had said, “I was mentally and physically abused repeatedly by my husband, even during my pregnancy. For the past few days, he has been speaking ill about my character without any proper evidence. I don’t want any other girl to suffer such brutal persecution. Hence, I have decided to fight him legally.”
She also added that Jayan claimed he had connections with top officials and she could thus do nothing against him.
After the couple traded a series of accusations against each other, on April 25, Jayan attempted suicide and underwent treatment at the government hospital in Thrissur.
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The state of Kerala recently reported a few cases of dowry harassment-induced suicides, including the death of 22-year-old Vismaya Nair, a final year BAMS student. The Kerala High Court on Friday issued a notice to the state government on a writ petition seeking amendments and strict implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. A bench headed by Chief Justice S Manikumar questioned why the Act is not being implemented strictly in the state and why no appointment has been made to the posts of Dowry Prohibition Officers, The News Minute reported.
Meanwhile, as part of an anti-dowry awareness drive, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) produced two short films.
These films were widely shared by artists of the Malayalam film fraternity such as Manju Warrier, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Dulquer Salmaan on their social media handles.