The Kochi city police have decided to issue a Blue Corner notice against Malayalam actor-producer Vijay Babu, who is absconding after being charged in a rape case.
Blue Corner notice is an enquiry notice issued to track, identify or obtain information about an accused who is absconding. The notice is issued to the country where the criminal is currently suspected to be hiding.
The police had earlier confirmed that Babu had fled to Dubai from Bengaluru on April 24. They had further said that they were expecting him to surrender before the law. Since this has not happened thus far, a decision has been made to issue a Blue Corner notice.
Commissioner CH Nagaraju said that they have begun the process of issuing the notice, which involves state and national nodal officers.
Babu had reportedly e-mailed the police seeking time till May 19 to appear for interrogation, informing them that he was abroad for business purposes. When the police had responded to the e-mail and directed him to share his location, Babu did not reply.
Sources told Times of India that once the Blue Corner notice is issued, it will help Kochi police in tracking down the accused with the help of the UAE police. Subsequently, either a team would be sent to bring him back or he could be deported.
It was earlier reported that Kerala Police had contacted Interpol to extradite him and official procedures for the same were launched through the Crime Branch, which is the nodal agency of Interpol in the state.
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Babu was booked for rape, in April, based on a complaint filed by a female actor from Kozhikode.
After news broke about the sexual assault allegation, the producer went live on Facebook and spoke about the matter. He flouted the law and openly named the survivor. Thus, another case was also registered against Babu for revealing the identity of a rape victim. The investigation in this case against Babu for revealing the survivor’s identity is said to be in the last stage.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Babu had moved the Kerala High Court seeking pre-arrest bail in the rape case. His anticipatory bail plea will be heard on May 18, when the court resumes its session after the summer break.