Woman actor alleges colleagues targeted her after rape complaint; 3 Malayalam artistes booked

The complainant in the case is the same as the one who accused prominent actors M. Mukesh, Edavela Babu and Jayasoorya of rape.

Malayalam film artistes Beena Antony, her husband Manoj and Swasika (R). (Official Instagram handles)

The Kerala Police Saturday registered a case against Malayalam film artistes Beena Antony, her husband Manoj and Swasika following a complaint from another film professional that they had “defamed” her through YouTube channels.

The case was registered under Section 79 (insulting a woman’s modesty) of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita at Nedumbassery police station under Ernakulam rural police.

Police said the complainant had earlier made rape charges against prominent actors of the Malayalam film industry in the wake of the release of Hema committee report, which looked into problems faced by women professionals in the industry. It was based on her complaints that the police registered cases against actor-legislator M Mukesh and other prominent actors such as Edavela Babu and Jayasoorya.

The complainant had also made allegations against another veteran, Balachandra Menon, but police are yet to register a case against him.

According to complainant, Beena Antony, her husband Manoj and Swasika had made videos “insulting her modesty” after Mukesh and the others were booked in rape cases.

Significantly, the complainant is an accused in a POCSO case following a complaint from her relative. The POCSO case pertains to an incident that allegedly took place in 2014.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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