In a big relief, actor Mansoor Ali Khan has got anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court on Thursday in the case connected to spreading false information against the COVID-19 vaccine. The development has come nearly two weeks after he had aired the comments against the vaccine and efficacy and voiced against the government for pushing the people to get vaccinated. 

The prominent actor has made his comment at a backdrop of actor Vivekh's sudden hospitalization in Chennai. Vivekh, who was known for his social works besides being a legendary comedian, has on April 15 received his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Omandurar Government Hospital in the city. Vivekh had later appealed to the people to follow the guidelines and protocols issued by the government and to receive the vaccine by claiming that the vaccine is the medical weapon to fight the pandemic. 

However, Vivekh was admitted to SIMS Hospital in Chennai on April 16 after he suffered a cardiac arrest. His sudden hospitalization had shocked his fans and people as it had come exactly a day after he received the vaccine. While there were major concerns over the efficacy of the vaccine, the doctors and health authorities had asserted that Vivekh's hospitalization was not due to the vaccine. 

However, Mansoor Ali Khan had held the vaccine responsible for Vivekh's hospitalization. Speaking to the reporters before the hospital, the villain actor had alleged that Vivekh had suffered a heart attack only because of the COVID-19 vaccine and he asked the health authorities why they made Vivekh get the vaccine and said that he won't leave anyone if anything happens to Vivekh. The video of the actor making such statements had gone viral on social media. 

As his speech was widely shared, the health department had filed a complaint against the actor for making a false statement against the vaccine. A health officer of the Chennai Corporation had filed a police complaint and based on his complaint, the Vadapalani police department has filed an FIR against Mansoor Ali Khan under sections 153 - wantonly giving provocation, 270 - malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life, and 505 (1)(b) - intent to cause fear to the public of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

The police had also slapped a case against the actor under the grounds of the Epidemics Act and the Disaster Management Act. As there were possibilities to face consequences, Mansoor Ali Khan had filed an anticipatory bail petition to the Madras High Court to evade the arrest. After the multiple episodes of hearing, the High Court has on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to the actor. 

The counsel representing Mansoor Ali Khan had said that the statement made by the actor at the entrance of the private hospital was due to an emotional outburst and was never intended to hurt anyone. The counsel further said that his speech should never be taken by the authorities to be the one capable of creating panic and confusion among the members of the public.

After the hearing, the High Court bench headed by Justice M Dhandapani had granted the anticipatory bail and the court has directed Mansoor Ali Khan to pay Rs 2 lakh to the Tamil Nadu Health Secretary to purchase Covishield vaccine as a condition for bail. It must be noted that Vivekh, who was admitted on April 16 at a critical condition, had passed away on April 17 at the age of 58 due to cardiac arrest. For honouring his contribution to the Tamil Cinema and society, the Tamil Nadu state government has cremated his body with full state honours.