Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Filmmaker Ranjith

Following allegations of sexual misconduct made by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra against filmmaker Ranjith, an FIR has been registered by the Ernakulam North police under IPC Section 354. Mitra's complaint details an incident from 2009 during discussions for Ranjith’s film 'Paleri Manikyam,' where she claims he attempted inappropriate physical contact. Ranjith resigned as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy shortly after the allegations surfaced. Cultural Minister Saji Cheriyan stated that no case can be filed without a formal written complaint, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation. Simultaneously, actor Siddique has also faced allegations of sexual assault, prompting a third-party complaint for action against both men. Actor-director Renji Panicker called for evidence-based actions, highlighting concerns over due process in the ongoing controversies surrounding the Malayalam film industry.