FIR Filed Against Malayalam Director Ranjith After Actress Sreelekha Registers Sexual Assault Complaint with Kerala Police

On Monday, the Kerala Police took action by registering a case against renowned Malayalam director Ranjith, following a sexual abuse allegation lodged by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra. S. Syamsundar, IGP & Commissioner of Police, stated that the case was filed after Mitra reported being sexually abused by Ranjith. The case, now recorded at the North Police Station under Section 354, will be investigated by a special team under the supervision of the government.
FIR Filed Against Director Ranjith After Sreelekha Lodges Sexual Assualt Complaint
Actress Sreelekha Mitra from Bengal has officially reported to the Kochi City Police, accusing Ranjith, ex-chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, of inappropriate sexual behaviour. She emailed her complaint to the Commissioner of Kochi City Police, detailing an episode that goes back to 2009. She was in Kochi at the time, negotiating a possible part in the movie “Palerimanikkam”, which was under the direction of Ranjith.
Mitra claimed that during their chat, Ranjith aggressively grabbed her hand and made unwelcome advances. The diva added, “I was invited to act in a film ‘Palerimanikkam’ directed by Ranjith. As part of the discussion, I was called to the flat in which Sri Ranjith was staying at Kaloor Kadavanthra, Kochi. During the course of the discussions, he clutched my hand and later on attempted to spread his hand to other parts of my body with sexual intention. Realising that his intentions were not regarding the film and with sexual intent, I had to escape from the flat and return to the hotel where I was staying. My bitter experience was shared with scriptwriter Sri Joshy Joseph the next day. As I was not given the travelling ticket for my return journey, I was compelled to seek the help of Sri Joshy Joseph.”
Mitra shared that initially, she held back from pursuing legal action given her unfamiliarity with local legal processes – after all, she was from Kolkata. Now, however, she has decided to break her silence. The diva added, “As a person hailing from Kolkata, West Bengal, I was unable to pursue this matter any further to prosecute Sri Ranjith for the offence attracting sections 354 & 354 B of the Indian Penal Code at the time of the commission of the crime.”
Mitra reached out to the Kochi Police, requesting them to treat her email as a formal complaint. She urged them to take the needed legal steps against Ranjith. “Certain comments from the public functionaries also were brought to my notice, and the response would show that a written complaint is necessary to register a crime. As the conduct of Sri Ranjith constitutes the commission of a cognisable offence, a written complaint is not a prerequisite, as I am told, following the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
In view of the public stand taken by the public functionaries in the State of Kerala that a written complaint is a prerequisite, I am lodging this complaint by way of an e-mail addressed to your good self as the offence has been committed within your territorial limits at DD Flats, Kadavanthra, Kochi. This may be treated as a complaint and set the law in motion, as insisted by the State functionaries to initiate criminal action against an offender,” added Mitra’s complaint.
About Justice Hema Committee Report
Just in recent weeks, a redacted version of a crucial report from Justice Hema’s Committee – investigating the harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film sector – has seen the light of day. This comprehensive, 235-page report expresses unsettling accounts of female professionals suffering harassment, exploitation, and poor treatment within the industry.
It’s important to note that the report carefully maintains anonymity for both the victims and the accused. Disturbingly, the findings reveal the industry’s command is held tightly in the hands of a select few – roughly 10 to 15 influential males, including producers, directors, and actors. This critical report is the result of a trio of investigators, led by a previous Kerala High Court judge. The team was assembled by the state government in 2017, presenting this report to the regional government headed by Pinarayi Vijayan in December of 2019. Strangely enough, it has only become public knowledge this month.
-With inputs from ANI