A rape case has been filed against Kerala actor-politician M Mukesh, making him the third high-profile personality from the South Indian film industry to face such allegations. Following the release of the Hema Committee report, which has exposed a series of dark deeds in the film industry, more cases are coming to light.
The report by Justice Hema has cast a shadow over the South Indian film industry, with several prominent figures accused of sexual harassment. Now, another name has been added to the list. An FIR has been filed against M Mukesh, a well-known actor and politician from Kerala. This marks the third such FIR in recent times. Previously, similar cases were registered against Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith and actor Siddique.
Case Registered Against M Mukesh
According to the police, a well-known Malayalam actress accused M Mukesh, a legislator from the ruling CPI(M), of rape. The alleged sexual assault took place several years ago. An FIR has been lodged against Mukesh under IPC Section 376 (rape) at the Maradu police station in Kochi on Wednesday night. The case has been registered under the IPC as the crime reportedly occurred before the implementation of the new Indian Penal Code.
Third High-Profile Case
Following revelations from the Hema Committee report, this case marks the third FIR against a high-profile personality in the Malayalam film industry. Earlier this week, the Thiruvananthapuram Museum police filed a case against actor Siddique for allegedly raping an actress in a hotel eight years ago.
The First Case Against Ranjith
The first case was filed under IPC Section 354 (assault or use of criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty) against director Ranjith. This was based on a complaint by a Bengali actress, who alleged that Ranjith had inappropriately touched her with sexual intent after her performance in the film Paleri Manikyam in 2009.