Sexual assault case: Chargesheet filed against filmmaker P T Kunju Muhammed

T'puram: Police filed a chargesheet against noted filmmaker and former CPM legislator P T Kunju Muhammed in connection with a sexual assault case against him. The complainant is a documentary filmmaker who alleged that Kunju Muhammed sexually assaulted and outraged her modesty at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram on Nov 6 last year. According to the complaint, the alleged incident occurred when she came to the city in connection with a documentary screening organized as part of International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). The survivor reiterated her allegations in her confidential statement before the authorities. As part of the investigation, six film professionals recorded statements saying that the complainant informed them about the alleged assault soon after the incident. Investigators also collected CCTV visuals from near the hotel room where Kunju Muhammed was staying at the time. The footage reportedly shows the complainant walking hurriedly in the corridor close to the room and was cited by the police as corroborative evidence. Based on these materials, Cantonment police included charges related to sexual assault and outraging the modesty of a woman in the final report submitted before the court. The offences invoked carry punishments ranging from one to five years of imprisonment. Kunju Muhammed had appeared before Cantonment police station on Dec 24, following which he was formally arrested and released on bail the same day. The police action came in compliance with a court direction that he be granted bail in the event of arrest. He earlier approached the court with an anticipatory bail plea and secured favourable orders. The delay in effecting his arrest drew sharp criticism from Women in Cinema Collective, which questioned the police handling of the case and flagged concerns over unequal treatment in cases involving influential personalities.