In Kerala’s Ernakulam, a court rejected filmmaker Ranjith’s plea for temporary release to vote in an ongoing election. Ranjith, held in jail over a sexual assault case involving a young actress, sought interim bail to exercise his democratic right. Despite his counsel’s argument emphasizing the importance of voting, the court sided with the prosecution’s stance against granting bail solely for voting purposes.
The court highlighted that individuals in custody are not permitted to vote as per the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Consequently, Ranjith’s application for interim bail was dismissed, barring his participation in the electoral process. Procedural challenges arose during the hearing as Ranjith was not presented before the court due to police commitments related to the elections.
While the defence reiterated its plea for interim bail citing the delay in producing Ranjith, the court remained unconvinced and declined the request. Ranjith has been in judicial custody since the start of the month following a complaint by a young actress. The court is expected to review his regular bail application soon, with a decision anticipated shortly.
The case has garnered significant public interest, not only due to the serious allegations but also for sparking discussions on the balance between individual rights and legal constraints during elections.
