Film Director Ranjith moves Kerala High Court for anticipatory bail

Malayalam film director Ranjith Balakrishnan has moved the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a sexual harassment case filed against him by a Bengali actress..The allegations against the director were made after the public release of the Justice Hema Committee report on August 19, 2024.The report revealed large-scale sexual abuse and 'casting couch' practices within the Malayalam film industry, among other findings..Ranjith has been accused of attempting to molest the actress in the year 2009 during a discussion for the film "Palerimanikyam."According to her complaint, Ranjith allegedly made inappropriate advances while they were at his flat in Ernakulam. She claimed that she managed to escape the situation and later shared her experience with a scriptwriter.The actress has stated that she was unable to pursue legal action against Ranjith at the time due to logistical challenges and lack of support. However, encouraged by the public release of the Justice Hema Committee Report, she decided to share her experience with the media.In response to the media coverage and public outcry, the actress lodged a formal complaint with the Kochi City Police Commissioner via email and an FIR was registered alleging commission of offences punishable under Section 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).Following this, Ranjith resigned from his post as the chairperson of the Kerala Chalachithra Academy. .However, he has continued to publicly deny the allegations, claiming they are baseless and part of a larger conspiracy against him.In his plea before the High Court seeking anticipatory bail, he has stated that at the time the alleged crime happened, the offence punishable under Section 354 IPC was a bailable one which means the director would have been entitled to be released on bail.Ranjith has further contended that the complainant-actress harbours resentment towards him as she was not chosen to act in the movie and that she was instigated to file this complaint by those who wanted to remove him from the chairmanship of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.As per the plea, several other persons were present in the apartment when Ranjith was discussing the movie with the actress but that those aspects have been left out in her complaint.Ranjith has also claimed that he suffers from serious medical issues and that his custodial interrogation would be unnecessary in the case. On these grounds, he has sought anticipatory bail while assuring the Court that he will co-operate with the investigation and adhere to any bail condition the courts deems fit to impose on him. .Ranjith is represented by Senior Advocate P Vijaya Bhanu and advocates Sruthy N Bhat, PM Rafique, M Revikrishnan, Ajeesh K Sasi, Rahul Sunil, Sruthy KK , Sohail Ahammed Harris and Nanditha S..In the wake of the publication of the Justice Hema Committee Report, actors Siddique, Mukesh, Manianpilla Raju and Edavela Babu and director VK Prakash are also facing similar accusations.Siddique, Mukesh, Raju, and Prakash have filed for anticipatory bail in the cases against them.A petition for initiating action against the alleged perpetrators who may have been named in the report has also been filed before the Kerala High Court. The Court in that case directed that an unredacted copy of the Hema Committee Report be filed before it in a sealed cover so that it can examine whether any of the findings may require criminal investigation.Another petition seeking an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the allegations in the report has also been filed before the High Court.