Published Nov 10, 2024 | 11:55 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 10, 2024 | 11:55 AM
Case filed against Ranjith Balakrishnan for alleged sexual assault ( balakrishnan_ranjith on instagram)
In the ongoing investigation into a sexual harassment case involving Malayalam director Ranjith Balakrishnan as the accused, key evidence-collection efforts have advanced, sources said on Sunday, 10 November.
Over the weekend, police escorted the complainant through several hotels in Bengaluru, culminating in identifying the hotel where the alleged incident occurred.
In his complaint sent to the Kerala Director General of Police (DGP), the man alleged that Ranjith sexually abused him at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru in 2012.
Originally registered with the Kasaba police in Kozhikode, the case has since been transferred to the Bengaluru Airport police for further proceedings, which are scheduled to continue on Sunday.
The allegations came after the Kerala government released the Justice Hema Committee report on 19 August, which highlighted the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
Speaking to the media, the complainant had claimed that Ranjith saw him during the shooting of Mammootty starrer Bavuttiyude Namathil (2012) in Kozhikode and gave him his mobile number written on a tissue paper, promising him a movie role.
The complainant further said that he met the director at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru, where Ranjith asked him to get naked.
“He said my eyes were beautiful and asked me to do my eyebrows. I cannot say the things he did to me now. I will tell that to the police,” the complainant added.
The complainant also said that the director had sent his naked photos to an actress, who had allegedly liked his photos. The man claimed that Ranjith, however, had not given him any movie role. “He only gave me some money, with the whole ordeal, I underwent mental trauma.”
Following allegations of sexual harassment from a West Bengal actor, an FIR under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty), was also filed against him.
Following the allegations, an FIR under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), was filed against him. Ranjith had also resigned as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy.
Ranjith, in his anticipatory bail application, had claimed that the complaint was motivated by the female actor’s disappointment at not being cast in the film. He further argued that the conversation in question took place in the presence of other crew members.
The Bengal-based actor alleged that after inviting her to audition for a role in the Malayalam movie Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (2009), the director touched her arm in a manner that felt inappropriate.
The actress said he toyed with her bangles and stroked her hair. When he attempted to touch her neck, she left the room. The next day, the actor was told that she wouldn’t be part of the movie.
She, however, clarified that there was no sexual assault but Ranjith’s behaviour gave the impression that such an intention might have been there.
The case gained further traction when a special investigation team recorded a statement from Fr. Augustine Vattoli, who was informed about the incident by Joshi Joseph, a screenwriter and close associate of the actor.
Although Joshi had relayed the information to Fr. Augustine at the time, it was not disclosed publicly until the complaint was filed.
Father Augustine’s statement was subsequently recorded in connection with the ongoing investigation.
(With inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
