#MeToo hits Kerala film industry: Chargesheet filed against actor-politician Mukesh

Kochi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Sunday confirmed that it has filed a chargesheet in an alleged rape case against CPI (M) MLA and actor M. Mukesh.

The chargesheet, filed at the Ernakulam Judicial Magistrate Court, claims there is digital evidence against Mukesh in the case.

WhatsApp chats and email messages between Mukesh and the complainant have been submitted as evidence. The SIT also stated it has received circumstantial evidence and witness statements.

In addition to harassment, a charge of sexual assault has also been brought against Mukesh. The case alleges that Mukesh sexually assaulted the complainant after promising her membership in the Malayalam film star organization, AMMA.

Mukesh was booked following a complaint by actress Minu Muneer. The case was registered by Maradu police on the complaint of the Aluva native.

The First Information Report (FIR) against Mukesh was filed under Section 376 (rape), which is a non-bailable offence, as well as Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman by word, sound, gesture, or object) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Last August, the lawyer for Malayalam actor-politician Mukesh stated that his client is ready to cooperate with the police investigation into the sexual harassment allegations made by a woman actor.

The lawyer, Geo Paul, also emphasized that the investigation team must gather all possible evidence, and if the allegations are found to be false, the police should file a refer report.

A redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public last year. It contains shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals.

The report, published after redacting the names of witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry.

The report, compiled by a three-member panel headed by a former judge of the Kerala High Court, was submitted to the Pinarayi-led Kerala government in December 2019 and made public only this month.

Following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, sexual harassment allegations have surfaced against several actors in the Malayalam film industry.