The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has wrapped up its inquiry into the sexual assault case involving Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan, with the final report expected to be submitted before the court in the coming days. Reports indicate the investigators believe there is sufficient material to proceed against the director on the charges already registered. At present, no additional offences are expected to be included in the charge sheet.
The team has also ruled out allegations that Bobby Kurian or assistant director Shalini knowingly helped Ranjith avoid arrest when police were attempting to trace him earlier in the case. Officials reportedly found nothing to support claims of deliberate assistance.
Investigators are also said to have found no material suggesting that the complainant was threatened after the alleged incident. However, enquiries reportedly pointed to efforts to resolve the matter privately before a formal police complaint was filed.
Meanwhile, Ranjith is likely to approach the court seeking a relaxation of the bail restrictions imposed on him, including permission to travel outside the district. The director had secured conditional bail from the Ernakulam magistrate's court after spending around ten days in custody. As part of the order, he was directed to cooperate with the probe and appear before the investigating officer whenever required.
During bail proceedings, the filmmaker denied wrongdoing and reportedly claimed professional disagreements with the complainant had led to bitterness. The prosecution opposed relief, arguing that witnesses connected to the film unit could be influenced, though the court eventually granted bail.
The case was registered after a young woman actor accused the director of inappropriate conduct inside a caravan during a shoot in Fort Kochi earlier this year.
