Malayalam Actor Mukesh Arrested in Rape Case, Questioned by Kerala Police for 3 Hours

Malayalam Actor Mukesh Arrested in Rape Case, Questioned by Kerala Police for 3 Hours

Malayalam actor and MLA Mukesh appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday regarding a rape case filed against him. The accusations against Mukesh surfaced following the release of the Hema Committee report, leading to two cases being registered against him. On September 24, Kochi City police recorded his arrest and conducted questioning. Mukesh had already secured anticipatory bail from a court in Kochi.

According to reports from The Hindu, Mukesh will be released after undergoing a medical examination. Coastal AIG G. Poonkuzhali, who leads the SIT, questioned the actor-politician for three hours before recording his arrest. After his medical examination, he is expected to be let go. Mukesh, who refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation, was met by media personnel outside the police station.

Previously, the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court had granted Mukesh bail on September 5. He faces charges under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rape, but has claimed that he is being blackmailed.

Mukesh is not the only actor under investigation. FIRs have also been registered against actors Jayasurya and Edavela Babu. Jayasurya faces charges under Section 354 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty. Both actors are accused of sexual and verbal assault.

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The allegations are part of a broader issue in the Malayalam film industry, where cases of sexual harassment and assault have come to light after the Justice Hema Committee’s findings were made public earlier this month. Several actresses have spoken out, accusing male industry members of harassment. To date, 17 cases have been filed. In the wake of these revelations, Mohanlal recently resigned as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).