A Kerala-based actress who had accused prominent actors, including CPI(M) MLAs Mukesh and Jayasurya, of sexual abuse on Friday announced her decision to withdraw her complaints. She attributed the decision to “lack of support and protection” from the Kerala government and “mental exhaustion”.

“I would like to tell everyone that because of the government’s indifference and the lack of protection for a woman who came forward like this, I have suffered more than I can handle. I’m mentally exhausted,” she said.

The actress also claimed that she was falsely implicated in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) after a relative accused her of exploiting her and taking her to places under the pretense of offering acting opportunities.

“I am innocent. I want justice. I want the POCSO case against me to be fully and speedily investigated. If I kill myself, the government will be responsible for it,” she said.

She claimed that the cases were forwarded to her after she complained against veteran actors like Maniyanpilla Raju and Idavela Babu. She accused the government of inaction and failure to protect her after she filed the complaints in connection with the Justice Hema Committee report. The first report of its kind documented the harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.

The Justice Hema Committee, set up in 2017 after a high-profile actress assault case, exposed widespread misconduct in the industry. The Kerala High Court later ordered the report to be handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which led to 26 FIRs.

Despite this, the actress said, “I don’t want to follow the cases. Not because I compromised with anyone.”

She also stated that she would inform the investigating officer in writing of her final decision within two days.