The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing sexual harassment allegations in the Malayalam film industry has submitted a chargesheet against Malayalam actor Mukesh, who is also an MLA of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], in connection with a sexual assault case registered against him. Reports suggest that the SIT found digital evidence against him and filed the chargesheet at the Ernakulam First Class Judicial Magistrate Court.
According to reports, the SIT—which was formed after the publication of the redacted version of the Hema Committee report—discovered incriminating digital evidence against him including WhatsApp conversations and emails. Additionally, the team reportedly found circumstantial evidence and witness statements.
MV Govindan, CPI(M)’s Kerala state secretary, told the media that Mukesh could continue as MLA, and the rest of the matter would be decided after the court’s verdict.
The survivor had previously told TNM that Mukesh had harassed her on multiple occasions many years ago. However, as she was a newcomer in the industry, she did not register any complaints. In a prior interview with TNM, she alleged that Mukesh also verbally abused her when she attempted to secure a membership in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (A.M.M.A) in 2013.
On August 29, 2024, soon after the release of the Hema Committee report, the survivor filed a complaint against him. Initially, the case was registered by the Maradu police under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The Hema Committee report, published on August 19, 2024, exposed a system of rampant sexual harassment, power abuse, and sexism within the Malayalam film industry. Following its release, several survivors openly spoke about the abuse they had endured, after which the government formed an SIT to investigate these cases. On January 16, the state government informed the High Court that a total of 40 first information reports (FIR) had been registered so far since the release of the report.