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Ernakulam, Oct 27 (IANS) The Kerala High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against renowned Malayalam film director Ranjith in a case alleging that he attempted to outrage the modesty of an actress during a meeting in 2009.
In the FIR filed in August 2024, Ranjeet was accused of inappropriately holding the actress’ hand and attempting to touch her with sexual intent at his apartment on the pretext of a film discussion.
He was booked under Indian Penal Code sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (making any gesture or act intended to outrage the modesty of a woman).
Justice C. Pratip Kumar allowed Ranjith’s plea to quash the proceedings pending before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam, saying the case was barred by limitation.
The court noted that, as per the law prevalent in 2009, the maximum punishment for the alleged offenses was two years, and under Section 468 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the limitation period for taking cognizance was three years.
The court said, “It was not proper for the learned Magistrate to take cognizance of the offense after a period of more than 15 years. In the above circumstances, the proceedings against the petitioner are liable to be quashed by exercising the power under Section 528 of the BNSS.”
The High Court also referred to the precedent set by the CBI in Johnson Alexander vs. State (CRL A No. 1478/2010) in reaching its conclusion.
Earlier, the court had closed Ranjeet’s anticipatory bail plea saying that the alleged offense was bailable at the time of the incident.
With this order, all pending proceedings against the director in connection with the 2009 incident stand closed.
Soon after this allegation surfaced, highly successful director, producer, writer and actor Ranjith stepped down from the post of Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and has remained out of the public eye ever since.
–IANS
SG/VD