Unicaus NEWS
The police questioned Mr Muhammed at the Cantonment police station. They released him from custody in accordance with a district court order granting the director anticipatory bail and protection from arrest.
Mr Muhammed chaired the jury which selected Malayalam films for the recently concluded 30th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).
The police case was that on November 6, Mr Muhammed invited the woman to his suite room in a posh hotel on the pretext of discussing the movie selection process and outraged her modesty, forcing her to flee.
According to the police, the woman filed a complaint under the POSH Act (Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act) with the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.
Subsequently, on November 26, the woman petitioned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who forwarded the complaint to the State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar, resulting in the registration of a sexual assault case at the Cantonment police station.
The police have charged Mr Muhammed with outraging the modesty of a woman, illegal detention, intimidation, and trespass under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Investigators said they recorded the woman’s statement in-camera before a judicial magistrate under Section 183 of the BNSS last week. The woman has also submitted the mobilephone she had used to communicate with Mr Muhammed for forensic examination.
The police have interviewed hotel employees and gathered CCTV footage relevant to the case. Investigators said they would interview Kerala Chalachitra Academy office-bearers and other filmmakers to ascertain the background of the crime.
Charges denied
Mr Muhammed has since denied the allegation. He said the accusation stemmed from a “possible misunderstanding” of his actions and expressed his willingness to render a public apology.
Published – December 24, 2025 01:15 pm IST
