Malayalam film director VK Prakash has approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail after being accused of sexual harassment by a woman.
The allegations arise following the release of the Justice K Hema Committee Report, which scrutinized the working conditions for women in the Malayalam film industry.
The case is expected to be mentioned before Justice CS Dias of the Kerala High Court today.
Prakash is among several prominent figures in the film industry, including actors, directors, and production controllers, who face accusations of sexual misconduct after the public release of the Justice Hema Committee report on August 19.
In this specific case, a scriptwriter claims that she was sexually harassed in 2022 while narrating a story to Prakash at a hotel in Kollam. Reports indicate that she has lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP).
Prakash has strongly denied the allegations, asserting that they are part of a blackmail scheme.
“The petitioner is absolutely innocent of the charges alleged, and he has been falsely implicated with reckless allegations with the sole intention to blackmail and extort money from the petitioner,” his bail plea argues.
He further claims that the same woman has attempted to blackmail another producer with similar accusations.
Amid the growing number of sexual abuse allegations in the Malayalam film industry, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the cases.
Criminal cases have also been registered against other accused individuals, including actors Mukesh and Siddique, as well as director Ranjith.
Prakash has expressed concern that, since a complaint against him has reportedly been submitted to the SIT, he may also be formally charged with sexual harassment under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
As a precautionary measure, he has approached the High Court to prevent his potential arrest.
“Given the publication of these defamatory allegations, the petitioner fears that he may be implicated in a criminal case involving an offence under Section 354 of the IPC,” his plea states.
The anticipatory bail application has been filed by advocates Babu S Nair, Smitha Babu, PA Rajesh, Pranav, KP Dhaneesh, and Siddharth Karun Pisharody.
