Kerala Court Grants Bail To Film Director Renjith Balakrishnan In Sexual Assault Case

The Judicial First Class Magistrate-1, Ernakulam has granted bail to film director Renjith Balakrishnan in a sexual assault case alleged against him by a young actress.

Smt. L. Usha, Magistrate granted the bail.

A case was registered against Renjith for the offences under Sections 127 [Wrongful confinement], 79 [Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman] 75 [Sexual harassment] and 74 [Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

An FIR was registered at the Vanitha Cell, Ernakulam following a complaint made by an actress, who alleged that he had attempted to sexually assault her at a film shooting location. Thereafter, he was taken into custody on March 31 and the magistrate had granted 3 days' police custody.

The investigating officer had reported that custodial interrogation and collection of evidence was made impossible due to non-cooperation by Renjith, who refused to take medicines and had to be returned to judicial custody within a day. He had made an application for a production warrant against Renjith, pointing these aspects.

Advocate S. Rajeev for Renjith contended that there was a delay of 2 months in lodging the complaint and it was foisted against the director as an afterthought due to disagreements with the complainant regarding her role in the film.

It was also pointed out that the alleged incident occurred in a film shooting location with as many as 200 persons and this aspect as well as the motive of the crime was relevant.

Advocates S. Rajeev, Isac Sanjay and Sarath K.P. are appearing for Renjith.

Case No: Crl.M.P. No. 1 of 2026

Case Title: Renjith Balakrishnan v. State of Kerala