MLA and actor M Mukesh, a prominent figure in Kerala’s ruling CPI(M), was formally arrested on Tuesday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with a rape case filed against him by a female actor. Mukesh was questioned for three and a half hours by the SIT at the Coastal Police Headquarters before his arrest was recorded.
However, Mukesh was promptly released after his medical examination and potency test, as he had secured anticipatory bail earlier this month from the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court.
The case against Mukesh stems from allegations made by a female actor, who accused him of rape and sexual assault. Two separate cases have been registered—one by the Wadakkanchery police and another by the Maradu police.
Mukesh has denied the charges, claiming they were fabricated as part of a blackmail attempt by the complainant. He has been cooperating with the investigation, appearing before authorities for questioning.
This case is part of a larger wave of allegations of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, with multiple FIRs filed against high-profile personalities. These revelations followed the findings of the Justice K Hema Committee report, which exposed widespread exploitation of women in the industry.
In response, the Kerala government formed a seven-member Special Investigation Team on August 25 to address the ongoing claims.
(With inputs from PTI)