Kerala Police Register Multiple Sexual Assault Cases Against Malayalam Film Actors

The Kerala police have registered multiple sexual assault cases against several prominent Malayalam film actors, including Jayasurya, Mukesh, and Sidhique. The latest case against Jayasurya is for an alleged incident during 2012-2013. This wave of complaints follows revelations in the Justice Hema Committee report on harassment in the Malayalam cinema industry.

Kerala police have registered a second sexual assault case against Malayalam film actor Jayasurya within 48 hours, based on a new complaint from a woman actor alleging misconduct, adding to a case filed on August 28.

The new FIR under Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was filed at Karamana police station on Thursday. Section 354 C, dealing with voyeurism, was also invoked against Jayasurya.

The female actor claimed Jayasurya molested her on a movie set near Thodupuzha during 2012-2013. The Thiruvananthapuram cantonment police confirmed a similar case under the same section was filed against Jayasurya earlier.

Other high-profile Malayalam film personalities, including actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh, and actor Sidhique, have also been named in multiple FIRs on sexual harassment allegations following the Justice Hema Committee report revelations. The state government has established a seven-member special investigation team to probe these complaints.

(With inputs from agencies.)