Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan was arrested on Tuesday and sent to 14-day judicial custody on Wednesday in an attempted sexual assault case. He was taken into custody after an actress filed a complaint against him. The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has taken action against the filmmaker, even as he claimed innocence to the press. (Also Read: Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith arrested over attempted sexual assault complaint by actress; sent to 14-day judicial custody)
FEFKA takes action against Ranjith
Ranjith was sent to judicial custody on Wednesday morning after his arrest in Idukki district late on Tuesday night. Following his remand, the filmmaker spoke to the press and claimed that the accusations against him were ‘false’. He also told reporters that he would be able to prove his innocence in the case while being taken inside the sub-jail in Kochi. Ranjith’s lawyer has said that they are preparing to move a bail plea in court.
The FEFKA took the allegations against Ranjith seriously and has recommended suspending his membership in the directors’ and writers’ unions. General secretary B Unnikrishnan said no complaint had been filed with the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) regarding the incident.
Police, politicians speak out against Ranjith
Kochi City Police Commissioner S Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said that a Special Investigation Team was formed after the actress filed a complaint. The allegations were discreetly verified before Ranjith was arrested. “It should not happen to any woman, especially at the workplace,” he told reporters. He also said that there were several witnesses to the alleged sexual assault, as the incident happened on a shooting set.
The police said that the survivor was ‘traumatised’ by the incident and had to undergo counselling and psychiatric treatment before she could come forward with the complaint. The complaint alleges that Ranjith attempted to sexually assault the actress after calling her into a caravan.
Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan admitted that he was not ‘fully aware’ of the details of the case when asked about it. “As of now, no formal complaints have come to me regarding the action taken. In the absence of such complaints, it appears that the proceedings are moving forward in a proper manner,” he said. Culture Minister Saji Cherian indicated that the government and the police were with the victim. He said that “such acts will not be accepted by the government or the society” and that the government and the police were with the victim.
Ranjith faced similar accusations in 2024 when a Bengali actress alleged he had touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the film Paleri Manikyam in 2009. He had to resign as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy amid revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report. A case was registered against him then, too.
(With inputs from agencies)
