Producers’ Association president and secretary among four charged with sexual harassment on complaint by actor-producer Sandra Thomas

SIT files charge sheet against Kerala Film Producers Association office bearers accused of harassment, with digital evidence.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case registered on a complaint by actor-producer Sandra Thomas has filed the charge sheet, arraigning four office bearers of the Kerala Film Producers Association office as accused.

The Association President Anto Joseph was the key accused, while secretary B. Rakesh was the second accused and executive committee members Anil Thomas and Ouseppachan Valakkuzhi the other accused.

“There was digital evidence to prove the crime, which took place in June 2024. The complaint was lodged in November,” said SIT sources.

The charge sheet was filed before the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate II on Saturday. The accused were booked under the Indian Penal Code since the alleged crime had occurred before the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita kicked in. They were charged under Sections 354A (sexual harassment), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention).

The Central police registered the case based on Ms. Thomas’s complaint about the alleged ill treatment meted out to her at the Producer’s Association office.

In a social media post, Ms. Thomas thanked the State government and the chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, for extending all assistance and G. Poonguzhali, AIG, Coastal Security, who heads the SIT and her team members, for the swift action and for filing the charge sheet quickly.

“There was an organised attempt to sabotage the investigation, influence and even eliminate me, and ostracise me from the Malayalam film industry. Such attempts are still being made. I see it as a victory that the charge sheet was filed despite all those challenges, which I am confident of overcoming with the people’s support,” her post read.