Kerala Police arrest actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh in sexual assault case; bail granted – De Week

The Kerala Police have arrested actor and CPI(M) MLA M. Mukesh in connection with sexual assault charges against him. The actor was later released on bail.

The Special Investigation Team probing allegations of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry arrested the ruling party MLA in connection with a sexual assault case registered against him in Thrissur. According to police, the complainant in the case has also filed a separate complaint against the actor in Ernakulam.

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Mukesh’s lawyer said the MLA was arrested, his medical examination and potency test were conducted and he was subsequently released as he was granted interim bail by a sessions court on September 24, PTI reported. Mukesh has been granted anticipatory bail in both the cases against him.

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Mukesh alleged that the cases were registered against him as he refused to give in to the complainant’s blackmail threats.

Several Malayalam film personalities are facing sexual harassment charges following the release of the Hema Commission report by the Kerala government. The committee was constituted by the state government to study the exploitation of women in Malayalam cinema and the committee headed by Justice K. Hema handed over the report to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government in December 2019.

Following multiple allegations of sexual assault, the Kerala government formed an SIT in August to investigate the allegations. Besides Mukesh, some actors Jayasurya, Edavella Babu, film directors Ranjith and VK Prakash are also facing charges.