Malayalam director Ranjith suspended by film body over sexual assault claims

Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan has been suspended from the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) following his arrest in connection with a sexual harassment case. The decision was announced by FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan on Wednesday, who Asif the suspension will remain in place until the organisation completes its internal proceedings.

Unnikrishnan explained that FEFKA follows a standard protocol in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct against its members. When a member is accused, they are suspended from the federation pending the outcome of the internal enquiry.

Ranjith was arrested by Kochi City Police on Tuesday night after a young female actor filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment inside a caravan at a film shooting location in Kochi. The complaint was lodged a few days earlier, leading to an FIR being registered at the Vanitha Police Station.

The case, registered at the Ernakulam Women Police Station, includes charges under several non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These sections cover assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, sexual harassment, and use of words or gestures intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

According to the complaint, the actor alleged that Ranjith attempted to sexually assault her inside a caravan at the shooting location on January 30. Following his arrest, Ranjith was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days. He is currently held at the Ernakulam Sub Jail.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the Kochi City Police Commissioner has been formed to investigate the case. The team will examine the circumstances of the alleged incident and record statements from those present at the shooting location.