Film Director Ranjith Moves Kerala High Court Seeking Anticipatory Bail Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations

The bail application has been moved based on allegations filed by a Bengali actress alleging the commission of an offence under Section 354 of the IPC. The crime was registered at the Ernakulam Town Police Station based on an email complaint made by the actress.

It is alleged that Ranjith in the year 2009 had invited the actress to his apartment where he inappropriately held her hand and attempted to touch her body.

In his bail application, Ranjith denied the allegations and stated that he has been falsely implicated by filing a complaint after a period of 15 years.

Ranjith has also alleged that the complaint was filed by the actress out of disappointment that she was chosen to act in his movie. It is also alleged that there are persons with vested interest who want to remove him from the post of Chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.

Background

The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Government in 2017 and was tasked to study issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The report was published on August 19, 2024.

The Committee's study revealed that women in the film industry face numerous issues, including, sexual demands, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, lack of safety in the workplace, insufficient basic facilities, wage disparities etc.

After the report was made public, a public interest litigation was filed seeking to initiate criminal proceedings against alleged offenders. The Court directed the State Government to make available the entire Report, including the redacted portions before the Court in a sealed cover. The Court also suo moto impleaded the Kerala State Women's Commission

Actor Siddique and Director V K Prakash has also filed anticipatory bail applications on apprehension of arrest amid sexual abuse allegations against them. Last week, MLA and actor Mukesh was granted interim protection from arrest in a rape case by the Ernakulam Sessions Court.

The plea has been moved by Advocates Sruthy N Bhat and Nandhita S

Case Title: Ranjith Balakrishnan v State of Kerala