Kerala YouTuber ‘Arattannan’ and four others have been charged with sexually harassing a trans woman

Five persons, including YouTubers Santhosh Varkey (popularly known as Arattannan) and Alin Jose Perera, have been arrested by the Kerala police for allegedly sexually abusing a transgender make-up artist. Based on the survivors' complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed by the Cheranalloor police in Ernakulam.

Speaking to, she said that short film writer Vineeth approached her with an offer of a role. He allegedly came to her house on April 12, 2024, with his friends, including Santhosh Varkey, and sexually assaulted her.

According to the FIR, Vineeth, Alin Jose, Santhosh Varkey, Bright and Abhilash Attayam have been booked under sections 377 (unnatural offences), 506 (criminal intimidation), 511 (attempt to commit offences punishable with life imprisonment or other term of imprisonment) and 34 (acts done by several persons in prosecution of a common purpose) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 18(d) (Offences and punishment for anyone who causes harm, injury or endangerment to life, safety, health or welfare of a transgender person) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. Police told TNM that an investigation was underway and no arrests had been made yet.

Earlier in July this year, Santhosh was booked by the Kerala police after actor Bala filed a complaint against him accusing him of making obscene remarks under the guise of film reviews.