The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), a body representing women professionals in the Malayalam film industry, has launched a scathing attack on the Kerala government over its handling of a molestation case involving noted filmmaker and former MLA P T Kunju Muhammed, alleging systemic delay, pressure, and selective action that pushed the survivor into deeper distress.

In a hard-hitting Facebook statement, the WCC revealed that the survivor, a female film professional, had sent a confidential letter detailing the alleged molestation directly to the Chief Minister, but the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) failed to issue any direct response, even as limited steps were taken later.

According to the WCC, an FIR was registered only eight days after the survivor’s statement was recorded, and that too following repeated requests from her end. The police, the outfit alleged, offered no public explanation for the delay in converting the statement into an FIR.

During this critical period, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Chairperson Resul Pookutty, Vice Chairperson Kuku Parameswaran, and others reportedly spoke to the survivor over the phone and met her in person, assuring full support. However, the WCC said the only visible action that followed was the removal of Kunju Muhammed’s name from the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) handbook and his exclusion from the festival.

The collective further alleged that assurances of announcing long-term preventive measures and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy on the IFFK stage ultimately remained unfulfilled.

While the Kerala Women’s Commission stated it had accepted the complaint, the WCC said there has been no clarity on whether proceedings are continuing.

The outfit also claimed that until the issue became public through media reports, police had informed the survivor that FIR registration could take up to 14 days. The FIR, they alleged, was registered only after media exposure.

Though women leaders from the ruling front publicly urged the survivor to remain firm, the WCC alleged that representatives of the ruling establishment and senior figures from the film industry pressured her to let the accused go free, citing his health condition. This, they said, compounded the survivor’s trauma.

Even after an FIR under non-bailable sections was registered on December 8, the WCC alleged that authorities showed no urgency in arresting the accused and remained inactive until civic body polls and the IFFK concluded.

Eventually, after arguments in the Sessions Court, Kunju Muhammed was granted bail, considering his age. His arrest was subsequently recorded formally, and he was released on bail.

“Those standing by P T Kunju Muhammed believe that he has either escaped or been deliberately protected. This once again makes it clear who the system truly serves,” the WCC said.

The collective accused both the judicial system and government machinery of continuing to silence survivors, irrespective of political differences.

While official statements repeatedly claim solidarity with survivors, the WCC said slow and ineffective implementation of announced measures is unacceptable.

“Our effort is a humble attempt to transform the system to ensure justice for women. We will continue this struggle,” the statement said, adding that the collective stands in solidarity with survivors silenced under male-dominated power structures.

The latest statement comes days after a court granted anticipatory bail to Kunju Muhammed in the case related to the alleged molestation of a woman associated with the film industry. The relief was granted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Rekha R after hearing detailed arguments from both sides.

Earlier this month, the Cantonment Police had registered the case following a complaint alleging that the filmmaker molested the woman at a hotel where they were staying while selecting Malayalam films for the recently held IFFK.