Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan remanded to 14-day judicial custody in sexual harassment case

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.