Sexual harassment case: Kerala High Court closes bail plea by director Ranjith since offence bailable

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday closed the anticipatory bail plea filed by Malayalam film director Ranjith Balakrishnan in a sexual harassment case, after noting that the offence under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for which the director has been booked, was a bailable at the relevant time. [Ranjith Balakrishnan v State of Kerala].Justice CS Dias was told today that since the case pertained to the year 2009 and since Section 354, IPC (use of force to outrage a woman's modesty) was only made a non-bailable offence only in 2013, the police would be treating the case against Ranjith as bailable. In other words, the Court's permission is not required for Ranjith's release on bail and the police can release him. The Court proceeded to close Ranjith's pre-arrest bail plea after recording the prosecution's submission on this aspect. .Senior Advocate P Vijayabhanu appeared for Ranjith while Government Pleader Hrithwik represented the State. .The allegations against Ranjith 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.The case against Ranjith was filed by a Bengali actress who accused him of trying to molest her in 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 and later shared her experience with a scriptwriter.The actress 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 the 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, he had stated that at the time the alleged crime happened, the offence punishable under Section 354 IPC was a bailable one.He also contended that the complainant-actress harboured 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.Advocates Sruthy N Bhat, PM Rafique, M Revikrishnan, Ajeesh K Sasi, Rahul Sunil, Sruthy KK , Sohail Ahammed Harris and Nanditha S also represented Ranjith. .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..[Read Order]