In a latest updates, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court has granted anticipatory bail to CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh and actor Edavela Babu. Both are facing sexual assault charges.

The court's decision came on September 5, 2024. The District and Sessions Judge, Honey M Varghese, approved the bail applications for Mukesh and Babu.

The allegations against Mukesh, a prominent CPI(M) MLA, were made by a female actor. She also accused Edavela Babu, along with other actors including Jayasurya, of sexual misconduct. An FIR has been filed under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code. Mukesh claims that the allegations stem from his refusal to succumb to blackmail attempts by the complainant.

This case is part of a larger investigation following the Justice K Hema Committee's report, which uncovered widespread sexual harassment and exploitation within the Malayalam film industry. The committee, formed by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case, revealed systemic abuse within the industry.

Last month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report was released. It details troubling accounts of mistreatment and exploitation, highlighting that the Malayalam cinema industry is largely dominated by a small group of influential male figures.

In response to the report, the Kerala government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to further probe the issues affecting women in the film industry.

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