Prominent Malayalam actor and CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh has been booked on charges of rape following a complaint by a female actor alleging that he sexually assaulted her several years ago. The FIR, filed under IPC Section 376 (rape), was registered at Maradu police station in Kochi on Wednesday night, according to police sources. The case falls under the IPC as the alleged crime took place before the implementation of the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
This is the third FIR against a high-profile Malayalam film industry figure in recent days, as the fallout from the Justice K Hema Committee report continues to unravel. The first case was lodged against director Ranjith under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force to outrage a woman's modesty) after a female actor from West Bengal accused him of inappropriate behavior during the shooting of the 2009 film *Paleri Manikyam*.
The actress alleged that Ranjith touched her inappropriately with sexual intent. Following the allegations, Ranjith resigned as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, and Sidhique stepped down as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).
