Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant development amidst the ongoing sexual assault allegations in the Malayalam film industry, actors Jayasurya and Kollam MLA Mukesh have been charged with serious non-bailable offenses following a complaint by a female artist. According to a report by Manorama News, the Maradu police in Kochi have registered a non-bailable case against Mukesh based on the complainant’s statement, where she accused him of entering her hotel room and misbehaving with her. The charges against Mukesh include IPC sections 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman), 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 454 (trespassing).
Simultaneously, Cantonment police in Thiruvananthapuram have filed non-bailable charges against actor Jayasurya, who is well-known for his roles in films like Vellam, Meri Awas Suno, and Njan Marykutty. The charges against Jayasurya stem from allegations that he sexually assaulted his female co-worker during the filming of a movie at the Kerala Secretariat. The charges against him are under IPC sections 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman), 354(A) (sexual harassment), and 509.
The case has also implicated several others from the Malayalam film industry, including actors Maniyanpilla Raju and Edavela Babu, along with Adv Chandrasekharan and production controllers Vichu and Noble. Maradu police have already registered a case against Adv V S Chandrasekharan as well, and it is expected that more individuals will be booked based on the complainant’s allegations.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has begun recording statements from the complainant, who was questioned for approximately 10 hours by DIG Ajitha Beegum and AIG G Poonkuzhali at her flat in Kochi. As the investigation progresses, more women are reportedly coming forward with their own allegations of sexual abuse within the Malayalam film industry, potentially leading to further legal action.
