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A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was appointed to look into incidents of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry, and on Monday the Kerala High Court closed the anticipatory bail applications moved by actors Jayasurya and Siddique, seeking bail in a case related to the sexual assault. “In light of the above submissions, the bail applications are closed, reserving the right of the petitioner to work out his remedies in accordance with law,” the High Court said.
Two complaints were filed against Jayasurya, one in the state capital city of Kerala and one in Kochi. After reviewing the evidence, the court determined that the actor is subject to bail for the offences claimed to have been committed before 2013.
Siddique, on the other hand, flatly refuted the allegations which were still pending. This legal development occurred following Siddique’s September 2 plea for anticipatory bail in response to a rape case filed against him. He resigned from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) as general secretary in response to the accusations, and the group’s 17-member executive committee also did so.
Earlier this month, the court denied Malayalam movie star Ranjith’s request for anticipatory bail. Actors like Mukesh, Edavela Babu, and Maniyanpilla Raju have also been linked to allegations of sexual assault. The police have so far filed 11 First Information Reports (FIRs) against several celebrities following the disclosure by former female actors about their exploitation.
A First Information Report (FIR) was filed by the police in Thiruvananthapuram following a complaint submitted by a female actor who made the allegations public.
Recent revelations of sexual abuse have caused a stir in the Malayalam cinema industry thanks to the ‘Me Too’ campaign. The Justice Hema Committee report, which revealed alarming details of harassment, exploitation, and the institutionalized mistreatment of women in the sector, coincided with the spike in these claims. The report, which was released to the public on August 19 after witness and accused identities were withheld, stated that roughly 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors dominate and exercise influence over the Malayalam film industry.
(With inputs from IANS and ANI)
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