Film Director Ranjith Moves Kerala High Court To Quash Outraging Modesty Complaint

Malayalam film director Ranjith approached the Kerala High Court on Monday (January 13) seeking quashing of proceedings against him based on an FIR lodged by a Bengali actress alleging the commission of an offence under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force to outrage woman's modesty) and 509 (word, gesture, act intended to outrage woman's modesty).The proceedings are pending before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam. On Monday Justice C Jayachandran issued notice to the respondents. It is alleged that Ranjith in the year 2009 had invited the actress to his apartment for a movie discussion where he inappropriately held her hand and attempted to touch her body with sexual intent. Earlier the High Court had closed his anticipatory bail petition since the offence alleged against him under Section 354 was bailable in 2009, when the incident allegedly took place. Ranjith has denied the allegations and submitted that he was falsely accused by the actress at the instance of some other persons to remove him from the office of the Chairman of Kerala Chalachithra Academy. It is stated that the complaint is filed with ulterior motives and is not bonafide. It is submitted that the actress has filed the FIR falsely after a period of 15 years alleging that the incident occurred in 2009. It is therefore submitted that the Court should not have taken cognizance of the complaint filed after 15 years of long delay. Plea said, “Here, the offence is alleged to have taken place in April or May of the year 2009 and the complaint is filed on 26.08.2024, after a period of 15 long years. The court below has taken cognizance of an offence which shall not be taken cognizance of by virtue of Section 468 of the CrPC after a period of fifteen years and it is travesty of justice.The matter has been posted to January 27. The plea has been moved by Advocates Santheep Ankarath And Sherry M.V. Case Title: Ranjith Balakrishnan v State of KeralaCase Number: Crl MC 250/2025

Film Director Ranjith Moves Kerala High Court To Quash Outraging Modesty Complaint

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