Kerala Film Director Ranjith Sent to SIT Custody Amid Sexual Assault Probe

Malayalam film director Ranjith Balakrishnan, one of the most well‑known figures in the Kerala film industry, has been placed under custody of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Kochi City Police as part of an ongoing probe into allegations of sexual harassment and assault brought against him by a young actress.

The case took a dramatic turn last week when the police, acting on a complaint from the actress, arrested Ranjith late on Tuesday night. The woman alleged that during a film shoot in Fort Kochi, the director attempted to sexually assault her inside a caravan stationed at the location. Following a preliminary investigation, a magistrate remanded Ranjith to 14‑day judicial custody at Ernakulam Sub Jail pending further inquiry.


Authorities intercepted Ranjith’s vehicle near Thodupuzha on the night of his arrest as he was travelling from Kochi, and took him into custody based on the complaint filed at the Vanitha Police Station. The FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita includes non‑bailable charges such as sexual harassment, assault with intent to outrage modesty, and insulting gestures.

Kochi police have formed an SIT to probe the allegations. Investigators have located the caravan where the alleged incident took place and plan a forensic examination, in addition to summoning people present on the film set at the time to record their statements.

As the inquiry unfolds, the police sought and obtained three days’ police custody of Ranjith from an Ernakulam court to allow detailed questioning. The court’s order on Saturday authorises the custody till Monday evening. Ranjith has also moved a bail application, claiming innocence and citing health concerns — the magistrate will take up this plea later.

Defence and Industry Reaction

Ranjith’s legal counsel has dismissed the allegations as fabricated and motivated, asserting that disagreements during the film shoot over creative decisions preceded the complaint. The defence highlighted that no grievance was formally raised with the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) on the set at the time of shooting.

However, controversy has already erupted over the handling of the case. Ranjith’s lawyer, Advocate Mohammed Siyad, withdrew from representing the director after criticism arose over his membership in the same ICC linked to the production, prompting debate about conflicts of interest in harassment cases.

The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has suspended Ranjith’s membership pending the outcome of internal proceedings, underscoring its protocol to remove members accused of such misconduct until inquiries are completed.

Meanwhile, the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) has criticised lax implementation of workplace safety mechanisms and the limited efficacy of internal committees, arguing that such bodies often fail to protect survivors effectively. Their statements reflected broader concerns about entrenched industry cultures and the need for systemic reform to ensure safe working environments.

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), while expressing faith in the judicial process, reiterated the importance of prioritising women’s safety across the industry and respecting legal proceedings.

This latest complaint is not the first controversy to cloud Ranjith’s reputation. Previous allegations — including those from actors in past years — had resurfaced in public discourse and rekindled debate on accountability and power dynamics in Malayalam cinema.

As the probe continues under the SIT’s supervision and the legal battle over bail unfolds in court, attention remains firmly on how the case will shape conversations around sexual misconduct, institutional safeguards like ICCs, and the responsibilities of film industry stakeholders in Kerala.