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

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

On August 26, Ranjith was charged for misconduct towards her during the film review of 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 conversation he grabbed my hand and later tried to spread his hand to other parts of my body with sexual intentions. When I realised that his intentions were not to discuss the film and were with sexual intentions, I had to escape from the apartment and go back to the hotel where I was staying. I shared my bitter experience with a script writer, Sri Joshy Joseph, the next day. As I did not get a return ticket, I felt compelled to seek the help of Sri Joshy Joseph (sic).”

Mitra said that since she was from Kolkata, she could not investigate the matter further.

Based on the complaint, the Ernakulam Town North police station arrested Ranjith under Section 354 (assault or criminal force against women) of the Indian Penal Code.

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

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

However, Ranjith denied the charge. He subsequently resigned as the chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.

Meanwhile, Ranjith was the victim of a second case of sexual assault 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.