Director Ranjith has been embroiled in controversy following a sexual harassment complaint lodged against him by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra. The complaint, filed on Monday with the Kochi City Police, came just a day after Ranjith resigned as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy. The Kochi City Police have registered a case under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to assault or criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty. The investigation will be led by a special team constituted by the state government, according to IGP and Commissioner of Police S Syamsundar.

Details of the Allegations

In her complaint, Mitra recounted an incident from 2009 when she was in Kochi to discuss a role in the movie Palerimanikkam, which Ranjith was directing. According to Mitra, the meeting took a dark turn when Ranjith allegedly “clutched” her hand and attempted to touch other parts of her body with sexual intent. Mitra stated that she had to flee the scene to escape the situation. “Realising that his intentions were not about the film discussion but were of a sexual nature, I had to escape from the flat and return to my hotel,” she wrote.

Mitra further explained that she shared her experience with scriptwriter Joshy Joseph the next day, who helped her with travel arrangements as she had not been provided with a return ticket. Despite the disturbing encounter, Mitra did not pursue legal action at the time, citing her unfamiliarity with the local legal system as a resident of Kolkata.

Formal Complaint and Legal Action

In her email to the Kochi City Police Commissioner, Mitra requested that her account be treated as a formal complaint, urging the authorities to take appropriate legal action against Ranjith. She highlighted that although a written complaint is not required to initiate legal proceedings, she was submitting one due to the stance taken by public officials in Kerala.

Broader Industry Concerns

The complaint comes on the heels of the release of a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report, which details widespread harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. The 235-page report, which was made public earlier this month, highlights the dominance of a small group of male producers, directors, and actors who allegedly control the industry and perpetuate a toxic work environment for women.

The allegations against Ranjith add to growing concerns about the treatment of women in the Malayalam cinema industry and underscore the need for systemic changes.