The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has moved to distance itself from filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan following his arrest in a sexual harassment case, with General Secretary B Unnikrishnan stating that the director will be kept away from the organisation pending the outcome of the case.

Addressing the media, Unnikrishnan said FEFKA would follow its established protocol in such matters. “If a person involved in a sexual assault case is a FEFKA member, the procedure is to keep them away until the case is resolved. This directive has been communicated to the Directors’ Union and the Writers’ Union, which will convene online and take a formal decision,” he said. He also clarified that the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of the film currently being directed by Ranjith has not received any complaint in connection with the latest allegation.

Ranjith has been remanded to 14 days in judicial custody and lodged in the Ernakulam sub jail after completing medical formalities. He had earlier been admitted to Ernakulam General Hospital, citing health concerns, before being produced before a magistrate in Thrippunithura. Briefly responding to reporters, the filmmaker denied the allegations, stating that it would be proven to be a false case. His bail application is expected to be considered by the court. The case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to sexual assault, outraging the modesty of a woman, wrongful confinement and making obscene gestures. The investigation is being led by Ernakulam City Deputy Commissioner of Police Aswathy Jiji.

According to the police, the case is based on a complaint by a woman actor currently working in Ranjith’s ongoing film. She alleged that he called her into a caravan at a shooting location on the pretext of offering a more prominent role and then attempted to sexually assault her. The actor stated that she managed to leave the caravan and informed her colleagues about the incident. The alleged incident is reported to have taken place earlier this year.

Ranjith was taken into custody on Tuesday night from near Muttam in Idukki district after police intercepted the vehicle he was travelling in, acting on inputs that he might evade arrest. He was initially brought to the Thodupuzha police station and later handed over to Kochi City Police, where his arrest was formally recorded at the North Women’s Police Station.