Sexual assault complaint by actress: Director Ranjith to remain in jail, case to be considered on Saturday

KOCHI: Director Ranjith, arrested in a sexual harassment case, will remain in jail. Ranjith's custody application and bail application will be considered on Saturday. The First Class Judicial Magistrate Court in Kochi considered the case today, but it was postponed to Saturday as the production warrant was not ready. Ranjith, who was remanded for 14 days, is currently being kept in the Ernakulam sub-jail.

He was taken to the North Women's Station in the morning, and an arrest was recorded. Later, he was produced at the magistrate's residence in Tripunithura and remanded. Since tomorrow and the next day are court holidays, the application will be considered on Saturday. It is also reported that the police will file a custody application on that day.

Ranjith was taken into custody last night following a complaint by a young actress alleging inappropriate behaviour from the director inside a caravan during a film shooting in Fort Kochi on January 28. The Thodupuzha police stopped the car in which Ranjith was travelling near Muttom on the Thodupuzha-Puliyanmala route at night and took him into custody. This was after learning that Ranjith might go into hiding.

The actress filed a complaint with the DGP and the Kochi Central Police. The complainant is an actress currently working in a film directed by Ranjith. As per the complaint, Ranjith entered the caravan without permission and forcefully tried to kiss her.