Malayalam filmmaker and actor Ranjith has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days in connection with a sexual harassment case filed against him. A Judicial First Class Magistrate issued the remand order on Wednesday, April 1, following his arrest late Tuesday from Thodupuzha in Idukki district.
The director was then sent to the Ernakulam Sub Jail. Speaking to the media outside the Magistrate’s residence, Ranjith claimed he has been “framed” in the case.
The Arrest and Remand
| Accused | Ranjith (Malayalam filmmaker and actor) |
| Complainant | Young female actor |
| Arrest Location | Thodupuzha, Idukki district |
| Arrest Date | March 31, 2026 (late Tuesday) |
| Remand Duration | 14 days |
| Custody Location | Ernakulam Sub Jail |
The police arrested him after recording the complainant’s confidential statement with Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar. Before being produced before the Magistrate, Ranjith was admitted to the Ernakulam General Hospital for a brief duration as he complained of uneasiness.
The Charges
| Charge | Attempt to outrage the modesty of a woman |
| Legal Code | Relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) |
| Investigating Body | Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Kochi City Police Commissioner |
Response from Ranjith’s Legal Team
His lawyer confirmed that a bail plea would be submitted before the court.
Previous Cases and Context
This is not the first legal trouble for the filmmaker. Two cases of sexual assault were registered against Ranjith in 2024 following allegations made against him in the wake of the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which highlighted issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry.
However, the Kerala High Court in October 2025 quashed one of the cases in which a Bengali woman actor had accused him of trying to outrage her modesty.
Resignation from Chalachitra Academy
Ranjith had previously resigned as the chairperson of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy following a sexual harassment case in 2024.
