Director Ranjith Faces Abuse Charges from Actress Sreelekha Mitra

A complaint has been lodged by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra accusing director Ranjith of sexual misconduct dating back to 2009. The Kerala government has formed a special investigation team to probe the case. This development follows the resignation of Ranjith as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy.

A case has been filed against director Ranjith following a complaint by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra. IGP & Commissioner of Police S. Syamsundar informed ANI on Monday that they have received a complaint from the victim in the abuse case regarding Director Ranjith. The North Police Station has registered a crime under section 354, and the investigation will proceed as mandated by a special investigation team constituted by the government.

Earlier on Monday, Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police against Ranjith, a day after he resigned as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy. The complaint follows allegations of sexual misconduct made public by Mitra recently.

In an email to the Kochi City Police Commissioner, Mitra detailed an incident from 2009 when she was in Kochi for a role discussion in the movie Palerimanikkam, directed by Ranjith. Mitra claimed that during the discussion, Ranjith 'clutched' her hand and tried to touch other parts of her body with sexual intent.

Mitra stated, 'I was invited to act in a film Palerimanikkam directed by Ranjith. During the discussion at his flat in Kaloor Kadavanthra, Kochi, he clutched my hand and later attempted to touch other parts of my body with sexual intent. Realizing his intentions, I escaped from the flat and returned to my hotel. I shared my experience the next day with scriptwriter Joshy Joseph.' Mitra added that she did not pursue legal action earlier due to unfamiliarity with the local legal process but has now decided to come forward.

'As someone from Kolkata, West Bengal, I couldn't pursue the matter further to prosecute Sri Ranjith for the offense under section 354 & 354 B of the Indian Penal Code at the time of the incident,' she wrote. Mitra requested the Kochi Police to treat her email as a formal complaint and to take appropriate legal action against Ranjith.

She also mentioned, 'Certain comments from public functionaries were brought to my notice, showing that a written complaint is necessary to register a crime. However, I'm told the conduct of Sri Ranjith constitutes a cognizable offense, and a written complaint is not a prerequisite following a Supreme Court judgment. Given the public stance by functionaries in Kerala, I am lodging this complaint by email to set the law in motion.' Earlier this month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report detailing harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public. It contains shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals.

The 235-page 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, submitted to the Kerala government in December 2019, was made public only this month.

The Kerala government on Sunday announced the formation of a special investigation team led by a senior police officer to probe allegations of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry. 'In light of recent interviews and statements from several women in Malayalam cinema detailing the hardships they face, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting with senior police officials,' said an official release from the Chief Minister's Office. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)