Kochi: On Friday, Mahila Congress workers staged a protest in Thiruvananthapuram demanding the resignation of Malayalam actor and CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh. The protest was fueled by sexual harassment allegations made against Mukesh by actress Minu Muneer. Protesters chanted slogans against the Left Democratic Front government and Mukesh as they attempted to breach barricades. The police intervened, using water cannons to disperse the crowd.

Mukesh faces serious charges as outlined in the First Information Report (FIR), which includes Section 376 (rape), a non-bailable offence, along with Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to women with intent to outrage modesty), and 509 (insulting modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In addition to Mukesh, actor Jayasurya is also under investigation following a separate FIR filed by the same actress, under Section 354 for intent to outrage modesty.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has already recorded Muneer's statement. She has accused Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu of both verbal and physical abuse related to their film collaborations. Earlier this month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report was released. This report, detailing harassment and exploitation within the Malayalam cinema industry, highlights the dominance of a small group of male producers, directors, and actors who control the industry. The report was submitted to the Kerala government in December 2019 and publicly disclosed only this month. The release of the report has sparked numerous sexual harassment allegations against Malayalam film industry figures.

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