“Due to my personal commitments, my family and I have been in America for the past one month, and during this time, two false allegations on the grounds of sexual harassment were made against me. Quite naturally, it has shattered me, my family and everyone who has held me close. I have decided to move forward with this legally,” Jayasurya wrote in a note on his Facebook page, thanking those who wished him a happy birthday on August 31.
The first First Information Report (FIR) against Jayasurya was lodged on August 28, citing section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty. This complaint, filed at the Cantonment police station by a female actor who has appeared in several movies, implicated not just Jayasurya but also other prominent actors like M Mukesh, who is also an MLA, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, a notable figure in the actors’ association, AMMA.
“In 2013, I was subjected to physical and verbal abuse by these individuals while working on a project. I tried to cooperate and continue working, but the abuse became unbearable,” the complainant stated in a Facebook post.
The second FIR was registered at Karamana police station, involving sections 354 and 354 C (voyeurism) of the IPC. This complaint by another female actor alleged that Jayasurya molested her on a movie set near Thodupuzha during 2012-2013.
Reacting to these allegations, Jayasurya, in his Facebook note, said, “False allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks a conscience. I only hope one realises that facing a false accusation of harassment is just as painful as the harassment itself. A lie always travels faster than the truth, but I believe truth will prevail.”Jayasurya stated that he will return to Kerala once his work in the United States is completed and assured that all legal proceedings to prove his innocence will continue in the meantime. “I have complete faith in our judicial system,” he emphasized, adding sarcastically, “Let those who have not sinned throw stones, but only at those who have sinned.” He also expressed his gratitude to “those who contributed to making this birthday the most painful one.”These allegations come in the wake of the recently revealed Justice K Hema Committee report, which has triggered a series of FIRs against high-profile Malayalam film personalities. The report, made public on August 19, sheds light on numerous instances of harassment and exploitation of women within the Malayalam cinema industry.
Following the report, besides Jayasurya, other film personalities facing similar accusations include actors Sidhique, Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, and director Ranjith.
The Justice K Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government in response to the 2017 actress assault case. The report highlighted several disturbing instances of harassment and exploitation faced by women working in the Malayalam film industry.
The swirl of allegations and subsequent legal actions mark a significant moment of reckoning for the Malayalam cinema industry, with multiple prominent figures now under scrutiny. As the cases unfold, the impacted individuals and the broader industry are likely to face intense public and legal examination.
Jayasurya’s efforts to clear his name underscore the intense personal and professional challenges such allegations entail. The outcome of these legal battles will be closely watched, offering potential precedent and lessons for addressing such serious charges in the entertainment industry and beyond.
The situation highlights the broader context of the challenges women face in the film industry, as well as the imperative for legal and institutional frameworks to address and resolve accusations of harassment responsibly and justly.
