"Survivors Alleging Sexual Abuse by Actor Minu Muneer Revoke Statements"
Title: Shuttered Investigations: Fading Hope for Justice in Malayalam Film Industry's Misconduct Scandals
New Delhi: Uncooperative Survivors Put an End to Malayalam Film Misconduct Probes
In a surprising turn of events, all 35 complaints lodged against prominent figures in the Malayalam movie industry for misogyny and sexual harassment have been called off, according to sources within the investigating team. The special police unit won't be pursuing any convictions due to the survivors' reluctance to record statements or continue legal action.
Survivors' reticence stems from the fact that most of them refused to provide statements, and those who had already testified decided against further legal action or providing additional information. These complaints were filed following the alarming number of sexual assault allegations highlighted in the 2019 Justice K Hema Committee report, but it wasn't until 2024 that a redacted version was made public, sparking widespread outrage and eventually leading to the Kerala government forming the SIT to probe the claims.
One of the complainants, actress Minu Muneer, shared her story with our website last year, giving explicit accounts of harassment she experienced from leading actors like M Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu. She also detailed receiving death threats after speaking out. Recently, she reiterated her thoughts, arguing that the persistent false POCSO charges against her may have discouraged other survivors from coming forward.
"My first disclosure faced numerous challenges, particularly the false POCSO case," shared Muneer with our website. "When the police levied unfounded charges against me without a thorough investigation, it scared off all the victims. Friends who wished to support me were also intimidated."
"When I exposed film director Balachandran Menon, he turned out to be the source of my death threats," she further explained. The allegations against Menon involved a minor girl accusing Muneer of making "sex slaves" of herself and others last September. Muneer suspected this accusation was part of a political plot to silence her and other survivors exposing powerful individuals within the Malayalam film industry.
"So now, with the challenges I've faced for the past nine months, and Balachandran Menon filing a false complaint against my Facebook post, it's difficult to understand how other survivors will muster the courage to come forward," Muneer noted, also highlighting her denied anticipatory bail due to thefalse POCSO charges.
"I have only shared the truth and accurate information," she maintained.
Significant changes have taken place within the industry's decision-making body, AMMA, with the dissolution of its main panel in response to allegations made by various actors against some committee members. Famous actor Mohanlal also relinquished his role as president of the panel. However, the ongoing legal proceedings are at a standstill due to the lack of survivors' participation, causing the cases to be dropped.
[1] Enrichment - New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/16/world/asia/minu-muneer-malayalam-film-industry-sexual-allegations.html
[2] Enrichment - BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56138898
[3] Enrichment - Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kerala-news/complaints-against-malayalam-actors-including-mma-chief-mozhur-vv-influx-of-sexual-assault-allegations-accused-face-flak-101623967126345.html
[4] Enrichment - NDTV: https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/malayalam-actors-jacob-john-alazza-arrested-in-missing-women-case-2683688
[1] The widespread outrage over sexual assault allegations in the Malayalam film industry, as reported in the 2019 Justice K Hema Committee report, has found a spotlight in general-news outlets, such as the New York Times.
[2] The dismissal of complaints against prominent figures in the Malayalam movie industry for misconduct, as a result of survivors' reluctance to cooperate, reveals a discouraging trend amongst celebrities, highlighted by crime-and-justice news sites like BBC News.
