Published Apr 10, 2026 | 2:19 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 10, 2026 | 2:19 PM
Ranjith Balakrishnan.
Synopsis: Ranjith, a former chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, was arrested by the police on 31 March night following a sexual harassment complaint filed by a young female actor. The arrest was carried out by the Ernakulam Central Police, who took Ranjith into custody from Thodupuzha in Idukki district, reportedly after intercepting his vehicle during transit. After completing the initial formalities at Thodupuzha Police Station, he was handed over to Kochi City Police.
A Kerala court on Friday, 10 April, has granted director Ranjith bail in the alleged sexual harassment case filed by an actress.
Though the prosecution opposed the bail plea, the court, it’s learnt, considered Ranjith’s counsel’s argument that the evidence collection has been completed. At the same time, the bail is subjected to strict conditions.
According to Bar and Bench, the counsel appearing for Ranjith reiterated that the accused has not challenged either his arrest or the earlier custody order and emphasised on his client’s willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
Ranjith, a former chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, was arrested by the police on 31 March night following a sexual harassment complaint filed by a young female actor.
The arrest was carried out by the Ernakulam Central Police, who took Ranjith into custody from Thodupuzha in Idukki district, reportedly after intercepting his vehicle during transit. After completing the initial formalities at Thodupuzha Police Station, he was handed over to Kochi City Police.
An FIR was registered against Ranjith at the Ernakulam North Women’s Police Station under charges related to sexual assault and outraging the modesty of a woman. According to the complaint, the alleged incident took place inside a caravan on a film set in Fort Kochi in January.
The actress submitted her complaint to the Kochi City Police Commissioner, after which the case was formally registered.
The complainant’s statement was recorded over two days, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Kochi City Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Aswathi Jiji. Police sources said the investigation was carried out with a high degree of secrecy.
After recording the actor’s statement in detail, police conducted a preliminary verification and concluded that there was sufficient basis to proceed further.
The probe was overseen only by Kochi City Police Commissioner S Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar and DCP Aswathi Jiji, with no additional officers involved in the process. Even several senior police officials were reportedly unaware of the developments until news of the arrest emerged.
Investigators are also examining reports that efforts had been made to resolve the issue privately before it was brought to the attention of the police.
Police sources told South First that he allegedly tried to evade arrest after learning about the police action. Ranjith was detained along with actor Bobby Kurian and another person who was accompanying him.
Fresh details have surfaced from the remand report against filmmaker Ranjith, with police stating that the alleged incident occurred on 30 January inside a caravan.
According to the report submitted before the magistrate, police also referenced two prior cases against the director.
Speaking to the media then, Ranjith described the case as an attempt to “destroy” him.
Meanwhile, sources close to the director have claimed that the complaint may have been motivated by personal grievances, alleging that the actor was asked to leave an ongoing film project of Ranjith due to unsatisfactory performance.
However, police said they didn’t receive anything to corroborate this claim.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
