Kerala High Court Directs Filmmaker Major Ravi to Face Sexual Harassment Trial

The Kerala High Court has ordered filmmaker Major Ravi to face trial in a sexual harassment case filed by a journalist. Justice P V Kunhikrishnan rejected Ravi's petition against an Ernakulam court's decision. The court emphasized that public figures must be cautious with their statements. The trial will allow Ravi to prove his innocence.

The Kerala High Court has instructed filmmaker Major Ravi to stand trial in a sexual harassment case filed by a journalist. This decision follows the dismissal of Ravi's petition against an earlier ruling by the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court.

In an August 12 order, Justice P V Kunhikrishnan upheld the magistrate court's decision to take cognizance under Section 354A IPC (Sexual harassment) and Section 120(O) of the Kerala Police Act. The court directed Ravi to surrender before the jurisdictional court for trial proceedings to commence.

The court cited Ravi's status as an army officer and celebrity, emphasizing the need for public figures to be cautious with their statements. The case stems from a 2016 speech in which Ravi allegedly made derogatory comments against a senior journalist from a prominent Malayalam TV channel. The High Court noted that the trial would provide Ravi an opportunity to prove his innocence rather than seeking to invoke extraordinary jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C.

(With inputs from agencies.)