Sexual Harassment Case: Mukesh, Edavela Babu Get Anticipatory Bail From Ernakulam Court

Actor-legislator Mukesh and Edavela Babu, former general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), who was accused in sexual harassment cases, were granted an interim order by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court.

Honey M. Varghese, district and sessions judge, Ernakulam, passed the order on Thursday.

• Read: Kerala HC constitutes special court with woman judge to hear PILs related to Hema Commission report

Mukesh is a member of the Legislative Assembly and there is no chance that he can escape the clutches of the law. The alleged incident took place in 2010. Therefore, the court in its order, while granting pre-arrest bail, said that there is no question of collection of immediate evidence and the need to keep Mukesh behind bars.

Actor Edavela Babu | Photo credit: VIBHU H

Mukesh had moved the court against the complaint filed by a female actor with the Maradu police in Ernakulam district, alleging that the case was fabricated and was meant to blackmail him.

• Read: Actor Nivin Pauly accused of sexual misconduct

The sexual allegations following the publication of the Hema Commission report have created a hornet’s nest in the Malayalam film industry. The rape charges were filed against actors Mukesh, Edavela Babu, Siddique, Baburaj and film director Ranjit.

The related developments in the industry have also led to the dissolution of the actors’ organisation Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

• Read: The dark side of the film world

The Hema Committee in its report has pointed out a host of ills plaguing Mollywood, including sexual abuse and the presence of a ‘casting couch’, rampant exploitation of young artistes, dancers, hairdressers and others and inhuman working conditions at shooting locations, which often lack toilets and changing rooms for women. The report also revealed that apart from actors, others working in the films were often not given contracts and were hired through agents. This led to delayed or reduced payment or, in several cases, non-payment of wages.