Malayalam film director Ranjith Balakrishnan remanded to a 14-day judicial custody in sexual harassment case

Malayalam film director and screenwriter Ranjith Balakrishnan has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with a sexual harassment case on Wednesday (April 1, 2026). Ranjith has been sent to the Ernakulam sub Jail. This has been ordered by a Judicial First Class Magistrate, a day after the director was taken into custody by the police.

The investigations are underway for film director Ranjith Balakrishnan’s arrest

The complaint has been filed by a young female actor who was supposed to star in a film, directed by Ranjith. In the complaint, the female actor has said that Ranjith Balakrishnan entered her caravan without her permission, held her, and attempted to kiss her. According to the complaint, withdrew when the he actress resisted his action. The complaint has been submitted to the Director General of Police and the Kochi Central Police by the actress. The confidential statement of the actress has been recorded two days before the arrest at a women’s police station.

The investigation is being carried out by Ernakulam City Deputy Commissioner of Police Aswathy Jiji. A Special Investigation Team is also investigating the case, led by Kochi City Police Commissioner. The police have registered the case after taking the statement of the complainant. The director has been charged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for the attempt to outrage the modesty of a woman.

Before going to the Magistrate court, Ranjith Balakrishnan was admitted to Ernakulam General Hospital for a brief stay after complaining of uneasiness. While speaking to the media, the director said that he was ‘framed.’ His lawyer also stated that a bail petition would be filed.

In 2024, two cases of sexual assault against the filmmaker have been registered, following the allegations that surfaced after the Justice Hema Committee report. Ranjith Balakrishnan later resigned as the chairperson of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. In October 2025, a case filed against him was quashed by the Kerala High Court, in which a Bengali actress had filed a complaint.

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