Kerala High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Makeup Artist Accused Of Sexual Assualt By Several Women

The Kerala High Court on Monday granted anticipatory bail to celebrity makeup artist Anez Anzare who has been accused of sexually abusing several women under the guise of applying makeup on them. 

Justice Gopinath P. held that the petitioner can be granted anticipatory bail in all the cases registered against him subject to conditions.  

"...taking into account the allegations raised against the petitioner I am of the view that the custodial interrogation of the petitioner may not be necessary for a proper investigation into the cases registered against the petitioner. I am, therefore, inclined to allow these bail applications."

However, it was clarified that the allegations raised against the petitioner are undoubtedly serious.

Anzare had filed for pre-arrest bail after four women came to the fore accusing him of sexually assaulting them during a bridal makeup session at his salon. One of them had the unfortunate experience when she had visited the salon after applying for the post of an Accountant therein. 

Advocate S. Rajeev appearing for the petitioner vehemently contended that the allegations raised against him were completely baseless and false. It was submitted that the complaints are malafide and raised with an intention to drive the petitioner out of business.

Further, the petitioner argued that the complaints were raised at the instance of one Priya, who was earlier associated with the petitioner and who started a social media campaign against the petitioner. Anzare contended that the allegations surfaced immediately after an allegation of rape was raised against a tattoo artist, which incident got substantial attention from the media.

He submitted that the said case prompted Priya to make various women complain against him to drive him out of business. The petitioner added that his wife was also working with him and that it is quite unbelievable for him to have attempted to molest anyone in such circumstances.

Moreover, it is asserted that, at any rate, considering the nature of the allegations, the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not necessary.

Public Prosecutor M.C. Ashi opposed the grant of bail alleging that several persons had raised allegations of sexual abuse against the petitioner and this cannot be written off as being a campaign to drive him out of business as suggested by the counsel.

In one of the cases, a Foundation named Jenika Charity Foundation, a registered trust giving grass-root level service to the survivors of domestic violence, sexually abused women, disabled and mentally challenged persons, has filed an impleading petition stating that it has a right to be heard in the matter.

The foundation submitted that the modus operandi of the petitioner is to sexually abuse ladies who come for bridal make-up on the day of their marriage so that they will not reveal the incident to any person or dare to make a complaint. 

Keeping in mind the principles laid down by the Supreme Court regarding grant of anticipatory bail, the Judge found it appropriate to allow the application. 

However, the following conditions have been imposed on the petitioner: 

Case Title: Anez Anzare & Anr v. Stateof Kerala & Ors. 

Click Here To Read/Download The Order