Rape Case Filed Against Malayalam Actor And Politician Mukesh On Actress's Complaint

In a significant development, a rape case has been filed against well-known Malayalam actor and CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh following allegations made by a female actor. 

A rape case has been filed against well-known Malayalam actor and CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh.

Source : Instagram/@mukeshcineactor

In a significant development, a rape case has been filed against well-known Malayalam actor and CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh following allegations made by a female actor. 

Case filed against Mukesh

According to PTI, The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to rape, at the Maradu police station in Kochi on Wednesday night. The case was registered under the IPC since the alleged incident occurred before the implementation of the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. 

This marks the third high-profile case involving prominent personalities from the Malayalam film industry in recent times. Allegations of sexual misconduct have surfaced against various actors and directors, gaining momentum following revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report on harassment within the industry. 

Case against Sidhique and Ranjith

Just a day earlier, the Thiruvananthapuram Museum police filed a case against actor Sidhique, who is accused of raping an actress in a hotel eight years ago. This case follows another complaint lodged against director Ranjith, who was accused under IPC Section 354 for allegedly assaulting a female actor from West Bengal in 2009. The complainant claimed that Ranjith had inappropriately touched her with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the film Paleri Manikyam. 

In light of the accusations against him, Ranjith stepped down from his position as the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, while Sidhique resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). 

The Justice Hema Committee report

The Justice Hema Committee, established by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case, exposed numerous instances of harassment and exploitation faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. In response to the growing number of allegations, the state government announced on August 25 the formation of a seven-member special investigation team to look into these cases. 

As investigations continue, more complaints are expected to emerge, reflecting a broader reckoning within the industry regarding issues of sexual misconduct and accountability.