Malayalam actor-politician Mukesh and actor Edavela Babu have got anticipatory bail in a sexual harassment case in Kochi, Kerala. A few days ago, both the actors were accused of sexual harassment by a former Malayalam actress Meenu Muneer. The actor filed a complaint against seven persons including Mukesh, Jayasurya and Edavela Babu. Following this, an FIR was filed against CPI-M MLA and actor Mukesh, Edavela Babu.

In the last week of August, Muneer named seven people and accused them of physical and verbal abuse. “I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse at the hands of 1, Mukesh 2, Maniyan Pilla Raju 3, Idavela Babu 4, Jayasurya 5, Advocate Chandrasekaran 6, Production Controller Noble and Vichu in the Malayalam film industry,” she wrote on her Facebook post.

“I was physically and verbally abused by these people while working on a project in 2013. I tried to cooperate and continue working, but the abuse became unbearable. As a result, I was forced to leave the Malayalam film industry and move to Chennai,” he wrote.

After Meenu Munir’s complaint, Mukesh demanded a ‘fair and transparent investigation’.

Mukesh said in a statement, “In response to the allegations made against me and other colleagues from the film industry, I welcome the ongoing investigation. A fair and transparent investigation is important to uncover the truth behind the allegations being discussed in the public domain.”

The explosive Hema Committee report made public on August 19 has opened a Pandora’s box in the Malayalam film industry. Several women have come out in the open to name their abusers and complaints have been filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The Hema Committee report exposed sexual harassment, casting couch practices, lobbying and other systemic issues prevalent in the Malayalam film industry. Following the release of the report, the Mohanlal-led Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and the entire governing body resigned from their positions citing ‘moral responsibility’.