Director Ranjith suspended from FEFKA in sexual abuse case

KOCHI: Director Ranjith, who has been remanded in a sexual abuse complaint of an actress, has been suspended from Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA). FEFKA General Secretary B Unnikrishnan informed that Ranjith will be kept apart from the directors' and the writers' unions. He said that instructions have been given to the general secretaries of both unions in this regard. B Unnikrishnan clarified that the actress has not yet filed a complaint with FEFKA or ICC.

The actress had filed a complaint against him for trying to sexually assault her in the caravan. Ranjith, who was produced before the magistrate, has been remanded for 14 days. The police intercepted the vehicle he was travelling in and arrested him last night. The arrest came to light when he was taken to Thodupuzha station.

Meantime, Culture Minister Saji Cherian responded that the government is with the survivor and will take action no matter who he is. This should not have happened from his side. It is serious that such things are being repeated. Ranjith was not protected, said Saji Cherian.

Two sexual abuse complaints were filed against Ranjith earlier. The first complaint was that he misbehaved with a Bengali actress during talks related to the film 'Paleri Manikyam’. This was one of the first revelations after the Hema Committee report was released. Subsequently, Ranjith had to resign from the post of Chairman of the Kerala Film Academy.