The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested actor and former Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) general secretary Edavela Babu in a sexual harassment case. He was already granted bail by the Ernakulam Chief Sessions Court, so he will be let go after the process is completed. The arrest was recorded after questioning by the SIT.

A week ago, actor-politician Mukesh and Edavela Babu were granted anticipatory bail by a Kochi court. Hence, Babu will be released on bail after the preliminary procedures.

In the last week of August, former actress Meenu Muneer accused him of physical and verbal abuse. She named seven people, including famous Malayalam actor Jayasurya. Following this, an FIR (First Information Report) was filed against the seven people.

She shared a detailed note on Facebook narrating her ordeal. She wrote, “I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse at the hands of Mukesh Singh, Maniyan Pilla Raju, Idavela Babu, Jayasurya Singh, Advocate Chandrasekaran, Production Controller Noble and Vichu in the Malayalam film industry.”

She further added, “These people physically and verbally abused me 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.”

The screenshot is here:

Edavela Babu, Mukesh and Jayasurya claimed they were innocent. Mukesh later demanded a fair and transparent investigation.

The Hema Committee report was made public on August 19, following which several women came forward and named their abusers. Following the report, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, which is registering complaints.

The Hema Committee report exposed sexual harassment, casting couch practices, lobbying and other systemic issues prevalent in the Malayalam film industry.