CPI-M legislator and actor Mukesh was arrested on Tuesday after a three-hour interrogation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding allegations of sexual abuse made by a former actress. He was subsequently released on bail in accordance with a court order.
Accompanied by his lawyer, Mukesh voluntarily appeared before the SIT, which is investigating multiple cases stemming from revelations by actresses following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report on the treatment of women in the Malayalam film industry.
After his arrest was recorded, Mukesh underwent a mandatory medical examination before being released. Earlier this month, a lower court had granted him anticipatory bail, stipulating that he cooperate with the investigation and be granted bail if an arrest occurred.
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The Malayalam film industry has been shaken by the fallout from the Justice Hema Committee report released on August 19, which detailed numerous instances of sexual harassment and led to a surge of complaints against prominent figures in the industry.
So far, the Kerala Police have registered FIRs against 11 individuals, including ten from the film industry, based on complaints from women. Notable names among the accused include actors Mukesh, Nivin Pauly, Siddique, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, and Maniyanpilla Raju, as well as directors Ranjith and V.K. Prakash, and production executives Vichu and Noble. While actor Baburaj and director Tulasidas have also been named in complaints, no FIRs have been filed against them yet.
Some accused individuals have secured relief from the courts. Mukesh’s arrest came shortly after the Kerala High Court denied anticipatory bail to actor Siddique, who is currently being sought by the probe team.
In a related case, prominent director V.K. Prakash was arrested last week following a complaint from a young writer alleging sexual harassment, although he later secured anticipatory bail.