Sexual assault case: Film director Ranjith seeks interim bail before Kerala HC

Kochi, September 3 (IANS): Malayalam film director Ranjith on Tuesday approached the Kerala High Court in connection with a sexual assault case, seeking interim bail.

Ranjith had resigned from his post as chairman of the Chalachitra Academy in the state of Kerala last month amid mounting pressure from several quarters after the Bengali actress revealed that she was called to a flat in Kochi in 2009 where Ranjith had “misbehaved” with her.

Ranjith's troubles began days after the release of the Justice Hema Committee report into the rampant sexual exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.

Based on an email complaint from the actress, a case was filed against him at the Ernakulam police station in the city.

However, in his bail application, Ranjith denied all the charges against him and said he was still “tainted” even after 15 years.

He claimed that part of the academy was plotting against him to remove him from office.

The Hema Committee report revealed that women in the film industry face numerous problems, including sexual demands, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, lack of workplace safety, inadequate basic amenities and wage disparity.

So far, FIRs have been filed against nine film personalities, including Mukesh, Siddique, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyan Pillai Raju, directors Ranjith, VK Prakash and production managers Vichu and Noble, after actresses filed complaints.

Of those described as “exploiters” by victims, Mukesh was provisionally released from custody until Wednesday, though his petition will be heard before a lower court here on Tuesday.

The Vijayan government has appointed a seven-member police investigation team, including four women IPS officers, to record the statements of the victims.

So far, none of the “exploiters” have been summoned before the investigation team.

The BJP and Congress alleged that the Vijayan government was in cahoots with the perpetrators, even as they claimed to be on the side of the victims.