Malayalam actor-turned-politician Mukesh and actor Edavela Babu have been granted anticipatory bail in a sexual assault case. The court in Kochi, Kerala, approved the bail following allegations of rape by female actor M Mukesh and harassment claims against Edavela Babu and others.
Mukesh has denied the charges, claiming they are part of an extortion attempt by the complainant. Both Mukesh and Edavela Babu face charges under Sections 354 and 509 of the IPC, relating to assault with intent to outrage a woman's modesty and insulting her modesty through words, gestures, or actions.
This case is part of a larger investigation that has shaken the Malayalam film industry, sparked by the Justice K Hema Committee report. Formed after the 2017 actress assault case, the committee's findings exposed widespread harassment and exploitation of women in Malayalam cinema. Since then, multiple FIRs have been filed against high-profile figures in the industry, bringing long-hidden issues to light.
Actor Nivin Pauly, recently accused of rape by a young woman, has denied the allegations. Director Vineeth Sreenivasan has supported Pauly, confirming that he was on set for the film ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’ on the dates cited by the complainant.
