Actor and former General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Edavela Babu, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a sexual assault case. 

However, due to the anticipatory bail granted by the court earlier, he was released on bail after the medical examination, police said.

Earlier today, Babu appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for questioning regarding the allegations, following the Hema Committee report.

The investigation has been progressing steadily, with the police conducting a search of Babu’s flat after a sexual assault complaint was filed by a junior artist. During the search, police reportedly seized several documents from the premises, with the actress present at the time. The prosecution had previously informed the court that Babu had been uncooperative, refusing to provide the key to his flat.

The case

A case was registered against Babu on August 28 at the Ernakulam Town North Police Station. According to the complaint, the actress alleged that Babu had called her to discuss her application for membership in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). He allegedly invited her to his flat to complete the paperwork, during which he allegedly sexually abused her

The artist claimed he indicated that compromising morally could secure her a place in the association. Additionally, she stated that she stopped receiving movie offers after refusing to comply with these demands.

This is the second arrest of an actor by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing cases of sexual abuse of women in the Malayalam film industry, following the release of portions of the Justice Hema Committee report, which investigated such issues.