FIR registered against actor-MLA Mukesh for rape

Actors Jayasurya and Mukesh. (X)

The case was registered under the Penal Code as the offence allegedly occurred before the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita came into effect.

The alleged incident took place during a film shoot at the Secretariat, where Jayasurya is accused of groping the actress in a toilet. This is the first of seven complaints filed by the actress. A special team led by DIG Ajitha Beegam and Officer G Poonguzhali recorded the actress’ statement in Aluva. Jayasurya is expected to be called for questioning as the investigation continues.

At the same time, based on a complaint filed by an actress, cases were registered against actor Maniyanpilla Raju and former AMMA General Secretary Edavela Babu. Cases were registered against them at Fort, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam North police stations respectively.

The FIRs against well-known Malayalam film personalities come after several actresses accused them of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour, following revelations in the Justice K Hema commission’s report.

Also Read: Rape Case Registered Against Malayalam Actor Siddique

Previous cases

On Wednesday, August 28, Thiruvananthapuram Museum police arrested actor Siddique for allegedly raping an actress in a hotel eight years ago.

The first case, under Section 354 of the Penal Code (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her), was against director Ranjith. The case involved a complaint by a female actor from West Bengal about an incident that took place in 2009.

She alleged that the director touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after he invited her to act in the film Paleri Manikyam.

Following the actor’s allegations, Ranjith resigned as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy.

Siddique had also resigned as General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following the allegations against him.

Also read: Prithviraj calls for accountability and transparency in Malayalam cinema

Accusations against chairman of legal aid cell KPCC

KPCC Legal Aid Cell chairman and Lawyers’ Congress state committee chairperson VS Chandrasekharan resigned on Wednesday after he was linked to sexual abuse allegations by an actress.

According to Congress sources, Chandrasekharan has submitted his resignation letter to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran.

“In light of the recent controversies, Adv VS Chandrasekharan has taken his moral responsibility and resigned as Chairman of the KPCC Legal Aid Cell and President of the Lawyers’ Congress State Committee,” the KPCC said.

His resignation comes a day after Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan, announced action would be taken against Chandrasekharan, who is accused of involving an actress.

In a recent Facebook post, the actress levelled allegations against the Lawyers’ Congress leader and made similar allegations of sexual abuse against four Malayalam film actors.

She felt empowered to share her story by the revelations in the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed the sexual abuse of female actors by their male colleagues in the Malayalam film industry.

The Justice Hema Committee was set up by the Kerala government after the 2017 sexual assault case of an actress. The report exposed cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

Following allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the formation of a seven-member special investigation team to probe the allegations.

After that, more complaints came in.