Actor Balakumar, popularly known as Bala, was arrested on Monday morning based on a complaint was filed by his ex-wife, singer and songwriter Amrutha Suresh.
He faces charges under Sections 74 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertain to outraging the modesty of a woman.
According to Onmanorama, the singer alleged that her ex-husband violated their divorce agreement, which included a clause that prohibits personal taunts. "He is constantly disturbing me and my 12-year-old daughter, even giving paid online interviews about us,” she said.
She added that he repeatedly insults her on social media which causes her and her daughter intense emotional distress.
The actor was also booked on additional charges under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
Bala and Amrutha’s 12-year-old daughter, Avantika Suresh, in an emotional Instagram video released last month, detailed the abuse her family endured at the hands of her father.
“Even when I was little, he would come home drunk and start beating my mother. Seeing that made me really sad,” she said.
She further added that Bala spread false accusations against her mother in multiple interviews. “They are all false.”
Bala had also accused Amrutha of not allowing him to see his daughter—claims which Avantika dismissed. “I don’t want to see your face. I don’t want to see you and I don’t want to speak to you,” she had responded to Bala's accusations.
Bala had denied Avantika's allegations and said he had no desire to argue with his daughter.
Amrutha then released a video detailing the abuse she faced during their marriage. “The trauma from that beating was significant. I underwent treatment several times due to internal bleeding. I’m still undergoing treatment to remove the scars from my body,” she said.
Driver Irshad, who worked for the couple in the early years of their marriage, confirmed the claims made by Amrutha.
"I had seen Bala physically assaulting Amrutha several times.”
Bala and Amrutha were married in 2010, and separated in 2019. The actor later went on to marry Dr Elizabeth Udayan in 2021.