The primary objective for the investigating officers on Friday is to record confidential statements from the complainants.
Published Aug 30, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 30, 2024 | 12:00 PM
Hema committee report. (iStock)
The Kerala police assigned SIT (Special Investigation Team) on Friday, 30 August, began investigating the seven cases registered in Kochi in the sexual harassment allegations against actors and directors from the Malayalam film industry.
Each case will be handled by a separate investigating officer, ensuring a thorough and focused approach to the investigations. DIG Poonguzhali, who has been appointed as the lead for these cases, will oversee the investigation in Kochi.
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.
The primary objective for the investigating officers on Friday is to record confidential statements from the complainants.
The team is also expected to take further action regarding the case against director Ranjith. Additionally, MLA and actor Mukesh will arrive in Kochi on Friday, to meet with his advocate and submit additional evidence. After receiving legal advice, he is expected to address the media.
Meanwhile, the CPI(M) secretariat will convene in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, where a decision regarding the MLA’s resignation is anticipated.
On Thursday, an FIR was registered against Mukesh under non-bailable offences including rape (IPC 376) at the Maradu police station, in Ernakulam.
In a parallel development, it has been reported that additional accused individuals are expected to approach the District Sessions Court, to seek anticipatory bail.
This move highlights the growing legal complexities surrounding the case and the heightened efforts of those implicated to secure legal protection.
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.
The publication of the Justice K Hema Committee report on harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry has opened a can of worms with several female actors stepping forward with disturbing accounts of the mistreatment they faced at the hands of their various male counterparts.
The Kerala government constituted the Justice Hema Committee after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with the inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
