Noted Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith was taken into custody on Tuesday evening in connection with an attempted sexual assault case, police officials said.
Actress alleges assault attempt in caravan
According to PTI, the action follows a complaint filed by a woman actor, who alleged that the director attempted to sexually assault her during the shooting of a film. According to the police, the actor stated that Ranjith had invited her to a caravan on set, where the alleged incident took place.Ranjith was taken into custody from Idukki district. Officials confirmed that he is currently being held in Thodupuzha and is likely to be handed over to the Kochi City Police for further investigation.The case was registered by Kochi City Police on Monday, following which the woman actor’s statement was recorded at a Women’s Police Station. Authorities said that the registration of the case and subsequent proceedings were carried out with utmost secrecy.
Previous allegations resurface
Ranjith had earlier faced allegations of sexual harassment in the wake of revelations made in the Justice K Hema Committee report on abuse in the Malayalam film industry.In 2024, a separate case was registered against him after a Bengali actress filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police Commissioner. The complaint, sent via email, alleged that he had touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the film Paleri Manikyam in 2009.The Kerala High Court had earlier closed his anticipatory bail plea after police informed the court that they were considering treating the alleged 2009 offence as bailable.
