A prominent Malayalam actor and ruling CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh has been booked in a rape case after a female actor's complaint that he allegedly sexually assaulted her years ago. An FIR under IPC 376 (rape) was registered against the actor at Maradu police station in Kochi city on Wednesday night, a police officer said, PTI reported. The case was registered under the IPC as the offence allegedly occurred before the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) came to force, he said. This is the third FIR against a high-profile Malayalam film personality following allegations of sexual harassment against various directors and actors in the wake of revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report. The probe will be taken up by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has been constituted to probe the sexual harassment allegations in the Malayalam film industry. Also Read: Kerala Police files rape case against Malayalam actor and ex-AMMA general secretary Siddique Hema Committee report In a dramatic turn of events, on Tuesday, actor Mohanlal stepped down as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The resignation was followed by intense criticism and scrutiny after the release of the Justice K Hema Committee’s findings on harassment within the industry. As a result of the mounting pressure, all members of the executive committee of AMMA also tendered their resignations, including Siddique. On Wednesday, Thiruvananthapuram Museum police booked actor Siddique for allegedly raping an actress in a hotel eight years ago. The first case, under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty), was against director Ranjith on a complaint by a female actor from West Bengal regarding an incident that occurred in 2009. She had alleged that the director had touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the movie Paleri Manikyam. Also Read: Mohanlal resigns as AMMA President amidst controversy; Entire committee steps down Following the allegation by the actor, Ranjith had resigned from his post as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy. The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry. Amidst allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them. Subsequently, more complaints surfaced. (With inputs from PTI)
