MLA and Actor Mukesh Arrested in Sexual Harassment Case, Released on Bail

The actor was interrogated for three hours by a team led by Assistant Inspector General (AIG) G Poonkuzhali and then taken for medical examination at a government hospital in Ernakulam. Later he was released on bail.

The actor's arrest occurred following a sexual harassment complaint lodged by an actress.

Cases related to sexual harassment were registered against several actors after survivors filed complaints with the Special Investigation Team, which was constituted by the Kerala Government after the publication of the Hema Committee report.

In her complaint, the actor had shared her harrowing experience with actor Mukesh. "I had worked in six films and when I sought membership in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Mukesh told me that I would get the membership if I sexually complied with them," she said.

On his part, Mukesh had alleged that the actress who accused him of sexual harassment had attempted to blackmail him.

Maradu police in Ernakulam which registered the case, had slapped non-bailable charges including rape, against the MLA on the basis of the actress's complaint. She had also accused Mukesh of sexually assaulting her at a private hotel in Maradu.

The Malayalam actor was charged under IPC sections 376 (rape), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 454 (trespassing).

The counsel of Mukesh alleged that there was a clear attempt to blackmail the actor and the evidence including electronic mail and WhatsApp chats to this effect have been submitted in the court.