Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan has been remanded to 14 days in judicial custody and shifted to the Ernakulam sub jail after completing medical formalities, following his arrest in a sexual harassment case. He had been admitted to Ernakulam General Hospital citing health concerns prior to being produced before a magistrate in Thrippunithura. Speaking briefly to the media, Ranjith denied the allegations, stating that it would be proven to be a false case. The court is expected to consider his bail application later today.
The director was taken into custody on Tuesday night from near Muttam in Idukki district after police intercepted the vehicle he was travelling in, acting on information that he might evade arrest. He was initially brought to the Thodupuzha police station before being handed over to Kochi City Police and subsequently taken to the North Women’s Police Station, where his arrest was formally recorded.
The case stems from a complaint filed by a woman actor currently working in Ranjith’s ongoing film. She alleged that the incident took place on January 28 at a shooting location in Fort Kochi, where the director allegedly entered her caravan without permission, held her and attempted to kiss her. The actor stated that he withdrew when she resisted. Her confidential statement was recorded at the Women’s Police Station earlier this week, following which police moved swiftly to carry out the arrest. Officials said the proceedings were handled discreetly and that a preliminary inquiry found merit in the complaint.
The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to sexual assault, outraging the modesty of a woman, wrongful confinement and making obscene gestures. Ernakulam City Deputy Commissioner of Police Aswathy Jiji is overseeing the investigation.
This is not the first time Ranjith has faced such allegations. In 2024, a Bengali actor accused him of inappropriate conduct during an audition for the film Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha in 2009. That complaint led to a case being registered, and he subsequently stepped down as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy. Another complaint had also been filed earlier by a youth alleging sexual abuse.
Police sources said further investigation is ongoing, and additional statements and evidence will be examined as part of the case.