Make-up artist in Malayalam cinema accused of sexual assault

Police have registered a sexual assault case against a well-known make-up artist in the Malayalam film industry based on a complaint lodged by a woman.

Professional make-up artist Saji Koratty was booked following a woman professional’s statement before the government-appointed Justice K Hema Committee, which shed light on the harassment and exploitation faced by women in the film industry.

After the Kerala government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations made in the committee’s report, the complainant approached the Kollam police and gave a statement.

The message was later forwarded to the Ponkunnam police in Kottayam as the alleged crime had already taken place in the district years ago, police sources said.

An FIR was registered against the accused last week and the case was handed over to the SIT on Monday (September 30, 2024), Ponkunnam police said.

The accused has been booked under various IPC sections, including 354 (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), police added.

Multiple FIRs have been registered against several high-profile Malayalam film personalities following allegations of sexual harassment against various directors and actors, sparked by revelations in the Justice K. Hema Committee report.

The recently released report highlights the exploitation and sexual assault faced by female professionals in the film industry.