Court grants three-day police custody of director Ranjith in sexual harassment case

A court in Kochi on Saturday granted three days’ police custody of Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith , who was arrested in connection with an alleged sexual harassment complaint by an actress during a film shoot.

The order was issued by Selmath RM , the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate , allowing investigators to interrogate the director until Monday evening. Ranjith was produced before the court from the Ernakulam sub-jail , where he had been lodged after being remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody earlier this week.

According to the police, the director was arrested on Tuesday night in Thodupuzha after officers intercepted his vehicle following a complaint lodged by a woman actor at the Ernakulam North Women’s Police Station . An FIR was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , including charges related to sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a woman .

In her complaint, the actress alleged that the filmmaker entered her caravan without permission during a film shoot in Fort Kochi on January 30 , attempted to physically assault and kiss her , and behaved inappropriately inside the vehicle. The complaint was later submitted to the Kochi City Police Commissioner before the case was formally registered.

Investigators have since identified the caravan where the alleged incident occurred and plan to conduct a forensic examination while recording statements from crew members and others present at the shooting location. Senior police officials have also held meetings to coordinate the next phase of the probe.

Meanwhile, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has suspended the director from its activities pending investigation, saying members facing such allegations are kept away from organisational functions until the legal process concludes.

Reacting to the controversy, Kerala minister Saji Cherian said the government stands with the survivor and stressed that the law will apply equally regardless of the accused’s stature.

The case has also triggered strong reactions within the Malayalam film industry, with the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) calling for stricter implementation of workplace safety mechanisms and internal complaints committees to address harassment on film sets.