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The Cantonment Police have filed a chargesheet against director and former MLA P T Kunju Muhammed. The case says he grabbed and sexually insulted a film worker inside a Thiruvananthapuram hotel room. Police also collected CCTV footage that shows the complainant walking near the room at the time she said the incident happened. This footage has been added as evidence. The charges include insulting womanhood and sexual assault, which can bring up to five years in jail. Earlier, The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) had strongly criticised the Kerala government and the organisers of IFFK for not acting quickly in another complaint involving Kunju Muhammed. A female jury member had accused him of misbehaving with her during the 30th IFFK. The WCC said, “It is deeply disturbing and shameful,” and added that the act was “unacceptable.” They said it was important to protect the dignity of the festival and the safety of women. Now both issues are being discussed again. The new chargesheet has brought more attention to the matter. The court will now decide the next steps based on the evidence.
TRIGGER WARNING: This article includes references to sexual abuse.The Cantonment Police have now filed a chargesheet against director P T Kunju Muhammed.Reportedly the case is about him allegedly grabbing and sexually insulting a film worker.As reported by Mathrubhumi, police say the incident happened inside a hotel room in Thiruvananthapuram. Reporedly the chargesheet explains that the woman told police that he forcefully held her. The police checked the details and added the complaint to the case file.
CCTV footage added as evidence
According to the sources, the police were able to collect CCTV footage from the hotel area. The footage shows the complainant walking near the room where Kunju Muhammed was staying at the same time the crime is said to have happened.The police have now submitted this video as evidence. Reportedly the footage does not show the act itself, but it shows the woman present near the place at that time. Police say this supports the timeline she gave. The sections added in the chargesheet are related to insulting womanhood and sexual assault. These offences can lead to up to five years in jail. Police say the court will now look at the evidence and take the next steps.
WCC had earlier raised strong concerns
Before this chargesheet came out The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) had already raised a strong voice against Kunju Muhammed.Their statement said, “The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is a prestigious event that brings pride to all Malayalis, and it is our collective responsibility to preserve its integrity." They also said, "It is deeply disturbing and shameful to learn that a female jury member was assaulted by senior director and Selection Committee Chairperson, P T Kunju Muhammed, during the 30th edition of IFFK.
This act of harassment is unacceptable, and we strongly condemn it.
”The WCC said they expect better responsibility from the organisers and also said that people in power inside the festival must be held accountable if a woman feels unsafe or insulted.DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, assault, or abuse, please seek immediate help. Reach out to a mental health specialist, NGO, or trusted individual. Several helplines are available to offer assistance.
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