Kochi: In a significant legal development, noted filmmaker Ranjith has been granted bail in a sexual assault case by the Ernakulam First Class Magistrate Court after completing the initial phase of judicial custody.
The director had earlier moved the court seeking interim bail to cast his vote, citing provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. However, the prosecution strongly opposed the request, pointing out that individuals in custody are not eligible to vote and that Ranjith remains an accused in an ongoing case. Accepting this argument, the court rejected his plea.
Ranjith was arrested last week from Thodupuzha. As per the remand report, the alleged incident occurred on January 30, when a young actress accused him of inappropriate conduct inside a caravan on a film set.
The arrest followed the survivor’s confidential statement. He faces serious charges including sexual assault, outraging the modesty of a woman, making sexually colored remarks, and wrongful confinement.
The case continues to draw attention within the film industry and legal circles, even as Ranjith secures bail.
