Actor Nivin Pauly and five others have been charged by Kerala Police for rape and related crimes. The charges stem from a complaint by a survivor who alleged that the accused promised her a role in a film. Pauly has denied the allegations, calling them baseless.
Key Takeaways
- Actor Nivin Pauly and five others have been charged with rape and related crimes by Kerala Police.
- The charges are based on a complaint by a survivor who alleged that the accused promised her a film role.
- Pauly has denied the allegations, calling them baseless.
Details of the Case
The case was registered at Oonnukal police station based on the survivor’s statement to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating sexual harassment allegations in the Malayalam film industry. The First Information Report (FIR) was filed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- Section 354: Assault or use of criminal force against a woman
- Section 376D: Gang rape
- Section 354C: Voyeurism
- Section 450: Trespass
- Section 342: Wrongful confinement
- Section 376(2)(n): Repeated rape of the same woman
- Section 506: Criminal intimidation
- Section 34: Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention
Accused Individuals
Nivin Pauly was named as the sixth accused in the case. The other accused include:
- Shreya
- Film producer AK Sunil
- Binu
- Basheer
- Kuttan
Allegations and Denial
The complainant alleged that the accused had promised her a role in a film, and the offense allegedly took place last year. Pauly, however, has denied the allegations, stating on his Instagram account:
"I have come across a false news report accusing me of abusing a girl. Please know that this is entirely untrue. I’m determined to go to any extent to prove these allegations baseless and will take all necessary steps to bring those responsible to light. Thank you for your concern. The rest will be handled legally."
Broader Context
The case against Pauly is the latest in a series of cases against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry following the release of the Hema Committee report. Other notable individuals who have been charged with various sexual harassment complaints include:
- Filmmaker Ranjith
- Actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh
- Actors Edavela Babu, Baburaj, Jayasurya, and Siddique
The Malayalam film industry has been under scrutiny for its handling of sexual harassment allegations, leading to significant public and legal actions.