The FIRs against high-profile Malayalam film personalities come after several actresses levelled allegations against them for sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour, in the wake of revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report.
Published Aug 29, 2024 | 10:04 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 29, 2024 | 10:04 AM
Actors Jayasurya and Mukesh. (X)
A rape case has been registered against prominent Malayalam actor and ruling CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh following a female actor’s allegation that he sexually assaulted her years ago, police said on Thursday, 29 August.
An FIR was registered against Mukesh under non-bailable offences including rape (IPC 376) at the Maradu police station, in Ernakulam. With this demands for Mukesh’s resignation as MLA has grown.
Meanwhile, actor Jayasurya also has been booked by Thiruvananthapuram Cantonment Police on charges of sexual misconduct, following a complaint by a Kochi-based actress. The case involves non-bailable IPC sections 354 (Assault to outrage modesty), 354A (Sexual harassment), and 509 (Insulting modesty).
The case was registered under the IPC as the offence allegedly occurred before the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita came into force.
The alleged incident occurred during a film shoot at the Secretariat, where Jayasurya is accused of groping the actress near a restroom. This is the first of seven complaints filed by the actress. A special team led by DIG Ajitha Beegam and Officer G Poonguzhali recorded the actress’s statement in Aluva. Jayasurya is expected to be summoned for questioning as the investigation continues.
At the same time, based on an actress’ complaint cases were registered against actor Maniyanpilla Raju and former AMMA general secretary Edavela Babu. Cases were registered against them at the Fort police station, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam North police station respectively.
The FIRs against high-profile Malayalam film personalities come after several actresses levelled allegations against them for sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour, in the wake of revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report.
On Wednesday, 28 August, Thiruvananthapuram Museum police booked actor Siddique for allegedly raping an actress in a hotel eight years ago.
The first case, under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty), was against director Ranjith on a complaint by a female actor from West Bengal regarding an incident which occurred in 2009.
She alleged that the director had touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the movie Paleri Manikyam.
Following the allegation by the actor, Ranjith had resigned from his post as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy.
Siddique had also resigned as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following the allegations against him.
KPCC legal aid cell chairman and president of the Lawyers’ Congress state committee, VS Chandrasekharan, resigned from his posts on Wednesday, after being named by an actress in connection with sexual abuse allegations.
According to Congress sources, Chandrasekharan submitted his resignation letter to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran.
“In light of recent controversies, Adv VS Chandrasekharan has taken moral responsibility and resigned as Chairman of the KPCC Legal Aid Cell and President of the Lawyers’ Congress State Committee,” the KPCC stated.
His resignation comes a day after the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, VD Satheesan, announced that action would be taken against Chandrasekharan, who faces allegations from an actress.
In a recent Facebook post, the actress had levelled allegations against the Lawyers’ Congress leader and made similar allegations of sexual abuse against four Malayalam film actors.
She was emboldened to share her story by the revelations in the Justice Hema Committee Report, which exposed the sexual abuse faced by female actors at the hands of their male counterparts in the Malayalam film industry.
The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.
Amidst allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors, the state government on 25 August announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them.
Subsequently, more complaints surfaced.
