The Kerala High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to Mohiniyattam performer Kalamandalam Sathyabhama until May 27 in a case filed under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (SC/ST Act). Sathyabhama is accused of making casteist remarks against fellow artist RLV Ramakrishnan, who belongs to a scheduled caste community.
The alleged remarks were reportedly made during an interview Sathyabhama gave to a YouTube channel. Justice K Babu provided protection to the performer and instructed the public prosecutor to obtain instructions.
This decision comes after Sathyabhama’s anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a Special Court for offences under the SC/ST Act. In the interview, Sathyabhama purportedly made derogatory comments about Ramakrishnan’s appearance and skin color. Ramakrishnan subsequently filed a police complaint, alleging violations of the SC/ST Act.
Initially seeking anticipatory bail from the special court, Sathyabhama’s plea was denied on April 22, with the court stating that the alleged offences were prima facie established.
Sathyabhama then appealed to the High Court, arguing that she was unaware of Ramakrishnan’s caste and refuting the allegations against her.
Represented by advocates BA Aloor, KP Prasanth, Haseeb Hassan M, Krishnasankar D, Asokan KV, and Rebin Vincent Gralan, Sathyabhama maintains her innocence in the matter.
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