Malayalam film director Ranjith has approached the Kerala High Court, seeking anticipatory bail in connection with a sexual assault case. The case emerged after a Bengali actress accused Ranjith of “misbehaving” with her in 2009 when she was called to a flat in Kochi.
Last month, Ranjith stepped down as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, facing mounting pressure after the actress’s revelations. The accusations surfaced shortly after the Justice Hema Committee report was published, highlighting rampant sexual exploitation faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
The actress’s email complaint led to the registration of a case against Ranjith at the Ernakulam Town Police Station. However, in his bail plea, Ranjith dismissed the allegations as baseless, claiming he is being “implicated” after 15 years. He further alleged that certain individuals within the Academy conspired to remove him from his post.
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The Hema Committee report exposed numerous issues faced by women in the film industry, including sexual harassment, gender discrimination, lack of workplace safety, inadequate facilities, and wage disparities.
Currently, FIRs have been filed against nine film personalities, including actors Mukesh, Siddique, and Jayasurya, and directors V. K. Prakash and Ranjith. Despite these developments, the seven-member police probe team have summoned none of the accused, which includes four women IPS officers.
The BJP and Congress have criticized the Vijayan government, accusing it of protecting wrongdoers while claiming to support the victims.
