Director Ranjith approaches Kerala HC seeking interim bail in sexual harassment case

Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan on Tuesday, September 3, approached the Kerala High Court seeking interim bail in the alleged sexual harassment case filed by a Bengali actor.

On August 26 against Ranjith for his misbehavior towards her during the film discussion about Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha in 2009. The film starred Mammootty, Shwetha Menon and Mythili in the lead roles.

In her complaint, Sreelekha wrote, “During the discussion, he held my hand tightly and later tried to extend his hand to other parts of my body with sexual intent. When I realised that he had no intention of discussing the film but of sexual intent, I had to leave the apartment and return to the hotel where I was staying. I shared my bitter experience with script writer Sri Joshy Joseph the next day. Since I was not given a ticket for the return journey, I was forced to seek help from Sri Joshy Joseph (sic).”

Mitra said that since she was from Calcutta, she could not pursue the matter further.

Following the complaint, the Ernakulam Town North Station booked charges against Ranjith under Section 354 (assault or criminal force against women) of the Indian Penal Code.

Following the release of the Hema Committee report, which found widespread sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, several women, including Sreelekha Mitra, have come forward to name the perpetrators. The Justice Hema Committee report was released on August 19, almost five years later.

Before approaching the police, Sreelekha spoke to the media about the incident last week. Documentary filmmaker Joshy Joseph also confirmed the incident.

Ranjith, however, denied the allegations and subsequently resigned from his post as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.

Meanwhile, Ranjith was implicated in a second sexual assault case on August 31 after a 33-year-old man filed a complaint. The survivor told TNM that the alleged assault took place in Bengaluru in 2012.