The Allegations: "Assault Attempt in a Caravan" ⚖️
The Complaint: A young female actor, who is part of Ranjith's latest directorial venture, filed the complaint with the Kochi City Police earlier this week.
The Incident: According to the actor’s statement, the director allegedly attempted to sexually assault her inside a caravan at a film shooting location in January 2026.
The Charges: The Kochi City Police have booked him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including attempt to outrage the modesty of a woman, wrongful confinement, and making obscene gestures.
The Arrest & Evasion Attempt 🚓
Investigators revealed that the arrest followed a brief "cat-and-mouse" chase:
The Flight: Upon learning of the police proceedings, Ranjith allegedly attempted to evade the Special Investigation Team (SIT) by abandoning his vehicle and fleeing in an associate's car.
The Detention: He was eventually tracked and apprehended in Thodupuzha late Tuesday night.
Hospitalization: Before being produced in court, the director complained of "uneasiness" and was briefly admitted to the Ernakulam General Hospital for a medical examination.
Ranjith’s Defense: "I Have Been Framed"
While being escorted to the Magistrate's residence this morning, Ranjith briefly spoke to the media, maintaining his innocence.
The Claim: The director stated he has been "framed" in the case and suggested that the allegations are part of a larger conspiracy.
Legal Action: His lawyer confirmed that a bail plea will be submitted to the court immediately, though the director has been moved to the Ernakulam Sub Jail for now.
The Context: Hema Committee Fallout 📄
This is not the first time the veteran filmmaker has faced such scrutiny:
2024 Resignation: Ranjith stepped down as the Chairperson of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy in 2024 following harassment claims by Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra.
Hema Committee: His name appeared prominently during the wave of allegations that followed the release of the Justice Hema Committee report on abuse in the Malayalam film industry.
Previous Case Status: While multiple cases were registered in 2024, the Kerala High Court had quashed one of them in October 2025 due to a significant delay in filing the complaint.
SantaBanta Verdict:
With the Kerala government and Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian asserting full support for the survivor, this arrest marks a significant moment in the ongoing "cleansing" of the Malayalam film industry. For Ranjith, whose career spans decades of cult hits, this 14-day remand represents a serious legal hurdle that could permanently alter his legacy.
