A case of sexual assault was registered against director Ranjith, initially filed by Kerala’s Hema committee in Bengaluru, based on a complaint by a 31-year-old man who said the incident took place during a shoot in 2012. the police. said.

Kempegowda International Airport Police Station Inspector Mallikarjun cited the complaint that during the shooting of ‘Bavuttiyude Namathil’ in Bengaluru, Ranjith sexually assaulted the complainant on the pretext of offering him opportunities in the film industry. Ranjith met the victim during the shooting of the Mammootty film, promising her a role, it is said.

The complaint also said that Ranjith developed a rapport with the man by discussing film industry prospects before inviting him to meet at the Taj Hotel near the airport. The attack allegedly took place during this meeting. The complainant later disclosed the incident to Kerala’s Hema commission, which was set up to investigate allegations of harassment and misconduct in the entertainment sector. Based on the complainant’s account, an initial case was registered at the Kasaba police station in Kerala.

The Kempegowda International Airport police station has taken jurisdiction over the case and initiated an investigation.

Following a review, the case was transferred to Bengaluru, where the alleged incident took place. Mallikarjun said the case was registered under Section 377 of the IPC, dealing with “unnatural offences” and Section 66 of the IT Act, which deals with offenses involving misuse of technology. “We registered the case against director Ranjith on Saturday and launched an investigation to verify the details,” he added.

The Hema commission’s report on the working conditions of women film professionals in Kerala, which was released on August 19, said women artistes and actors were routinely asked for sexual favors in exchange for opportunities, told to compromise, they managed with the force they displayed. male colleagues and threatened with bans if they tried to sue. The commission’s report – originally 295 pages – was shortened by 66 pages to redact the names and information of those who testified and others against whom allegations were made.

After the report was released, several female actors, including a Bengali actress, went public with allegations of sexual harassment against some of the well-known faces of Malayalam cinema, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh.