Film director Ranjith has been placed in police custody until Monday following a sexual assault complaint filed by a young actress. The Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate’s (CJM) court rejected his bail plea, citing the serious nature of the allegations.
Despite Ranjith’s health issues, including spinal problems and a liver transplant, the court granted police custody based on the prosecution’s argument for custodial interrogation. Authorities are now set to intensify the investigation, focusing on reconstructing the events and gathering evidence from the caravan where the alleged assault took place.
Forensic and circumstantial evidence will play a crucial role in the ongoing probe, with officials emphasizing the importance of these aspects. Additionally, there have been legal developments in the case, with a change in Ranjith’s legal representation.
Senior advocate S. Rajeev has taken over as Ranjith’s counsel after advocate Mohammed Siyad withdrew from the case. Siyad, who was part of the film’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), decided to step down due to the controversy surrounding the matter. The complaint alleges that the incident occurred on January 9 at a film location in Fort Kochi, where the actress was reportedly targeted in Ranjith’s caravan.
Following the interception of Ranjith’s vehicle by the Idukki Superintendent of Police, he was taken into custody. The complainant revealed that she sought help after receiving counseling to cope with the aftermath of the incident. The police acted on her confidential statement, leading to Ranjith’s arrest and further legal proceedings.
