Actor Nivin Pauly Charged with Gang Rape Amidst Wider Malayalam Film Industry Scandal

Nivin Pauly and five others have been charged with gang rape by the Kerala Police, based on a survivor's statement to the Special Investigation Team. The incident is part of a broader sexual harassment scandal in the Malayalam film industry, exposed by the Hema Committee report.

Nivin Pauly, along with five others, faces serious charges of gang rape and related crimes, leveled by the Kerala Police on Tuesday. The charges are based on a survivor's statement recorded by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating widespread sexual harassment allegations within the Malayalam film industry, as highlighted by the Hema Committee report.

The case was filed at Oonnukal police station following the survivor's detailed account to the SIT. An FIR has been registered, citing multiple IPC Sections including Section 354 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman), Section 376D (gang rape), Section 354C (voyeurism), Section 450 (trespass), Section 342 (wrongful confinement), Section 376(2)(n) (repeated rape of the same woman), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), and Section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

Nivin Pauly has been listed as the sixth accused, with the first five being Shreya, producer AK Sunil, Binu, Basheer, and Kuttan. The complainant accused them of luring her into a film role, with the alleged incident occurring in Dubai last year. Pauly has refuted these allegations, labeling them as baseless on his Instagram account, and expressed his determination to prove his innocence through legal channels.

The scandal surrounding Pauly is the latest in a series of high-profile cases brought against notable personalities in the Malayalam cinema industry as a result of the Hema Committee's findings. Other prominent figures, including filmmaker Ranjith, actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh, and actors Edavela Babu, Baburaj, Jayasurya, and Siddique, have also been implicated in various sexual harassment complaints.

Last month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on the harassment of women in the Malayalam film industry was made public, revealing disturbing accounts of exploitation and mistreatment. The 235-page document, with names of witnesses and the accused redacted, underscores the domination and control exerted by around 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors over the industry.

(With inputs from agencies.)