Mukesh is facing charges of rape and sexual misconduct.
Mukesh’s anticipatory bail plea was heard by the Kerala High Court on September 3.
The District and Sessions Court will announce its judgment on Malayalam actor Mukesh’s anticipatory bail plea, amid charges of rape and sexual misconduct, on September 5. Following the explosive Hema Committee report, the Malayalam film industry has been thrown into a whirlwind of controversy and scandal. The report has sparked a significant storm, revealing a disturbing pattern of repeated sexual harassment accusations against several actors. According to a complaint from a female actor based in Kochi, the Maradu Police in Ernakulam filed non-bailable charges, including rape, against Kollam MLA Mukesh. The actress alleges that Mukesh sexually assaulted her at a private hotel in the Maradu area. He has been charged under IPC sections 376 (rape), 354 (outraging modesty of women), 509 (words, gestures, or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 454 (trespassing).
The Special Investigation Team is actively investigating the matter. Mukesh’s anticipatory bail plea was heard by the Kerala High Court on September 3. The court has adjourned the case and will deliver its verdict on Thursday, September 5.
In a similar development, the Kerala High Court has also postponed the judgement on the anticipatory bail petition filed by actor Edavela Babu to Thursday.
Malayalam director Ranjith has filed a bail petition with the Kerala High Court in connection with sexual harassment allegations. The case involves claims made by a Bengali actress about an incident that allegedly occurred 15 years ago. Ranjith has also claimed that the sexual harassment allegations against him stem from his exclusion from the state award-winning film Baleri Manikkam. He also alleges a conspiracy to oust him from his position as president of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.
Since the release of the Justice Hema Committee Report earlier this month, the Malayalam film industry has been rocked by multiple sexual assault allegations. Several actresses have come forward with accusations against prominent male figures in the Malayalam industry that have led to the filing of seventeen cases so far. Popular Malayalam actors facing these accusations include Siddique, Edavela Babu, Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and the renowned director Ranjith.
Not only this, Mohanlal has also resigned from his role as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).