Case registered against actor and CPM MLA Mukesh for alleged sexual assault

Kochi: The Marad Police have registered a case against prominent Malayalam actor and CPM MLA Mukesh following a complaint lodged by an actress. The actress has alleged that Mukesh sexually assaulted her in the past.

The Malayalam film industry has been shaken by revelations from various actresses against several male actors, particularly since the release of the Hema Committee report last week.

Mukesh faces non-bailable charges in connection with the allegations.

Meanwhile, CPI leader and General Secretary of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), Annie Raja, has called for the resignation of the actor-turned-politician in light of the serious allegations against him.

Similarly, cases have been registered against veteran actors Maniyanpilla Raju and Edavela Babu (former General Secretary of AMMA) based on similar complaints lodged against them.

Release of Hema Committee report

Several female actors have come forward with their complaints and allegations in the wake of Hema Committee report which revealed discrimination and harassment of women in Malayalam film industry. Following the release of the report, the Kerala government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the hardships faced by women in the industry.

Special Investigation Team held a meeting at the police headquarters on Tuesday.

"The SIT has been strengthened by including additional women officers. All related cases registered at local police stations are to be handed over to the SIT for further investigation," a Kerala Police release said.

On August 26, Malayalam film actor Minu Muneer made sexual harassment allegations against some of her co-stars in the Malayalam film industry.