Latest news with #BalachandraMenon
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
SIT likely to close sexual harassment case against Jayasurya, Balachandra Menon
Thiruvananthapuram: The special investigation team probing the sexual harassment complaint filed by an actress against several Malayalam film actors is likely to close the case against Jayasurya and Balachandra Menon, as it is learnt that no corroborative evidence was found to support the allegations. According to police sources, witness accounts and records are largely inconsistent with the complainant's version, with most testimonies reportedly going against her claims. The complaint, raised in the wake of the Hema Committee report, alleged that Jayasurya misbehaved with the actress during the shooting of the 2008 film "De Ingottu Nokkiye" near a restroom in the Secretariat complex. Balachandra Menon was accused of summoning her to a hotel room in Vanchiyoor and sexually assaulting her. In Jayasurya's case, the govt records indicate that the shooting did take place within the Secretariat premises on the day mentioned, but no official permission was granted to enter office buildings or rooms. The restroom the actress referred to in her complaint was reportedly demolished and converted into the forest minister's office, which made it difficult for even the complainant to identify the spot precisely. As there were no eyewitnesses or circumstantial evidence to support the charges, the only elements favouring the complaint were the actress's confidential statement and the fact that both she and Jayasurya acted in the same film. As for the allegation against Menon, sources say police were able to confirm his stay at the said hotel, but no material evidence was found to establish that the actress ever visited him there. Due to the passage of time, no CCTV footage or mobile tower location data was available to verify the claim. The case reportedly suffered another setback after a junior artist, initially cited by the complainant as a witness to the alleged misconduct, changed her statement and denied any knowledge of the incident. It is learnt that the special investigation team will soon take a call on whether to formally clear both actors of the charges, based on the available findings
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Actress seeks pre-arrest bail in blackmail case filed by director Balachandra Menon
Kochi: An actor, who had previously alleged that actor-film director Balachandra Menon sexually assaulted her, has approached high court seeking pre-arrest bail in a blackmail case filed by Menon. The bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas sought instructions from the state govt on the petition and adjourned the matter to May 30. According to prosecution, the actor, along with the second accused, allegedly threatened Menon by posting defamatory content on Facebook in Sept 2024. The second accused is also said to have repeatedly called Menon on his mobile phone and issued threats. Based on a complaint lodged by Menon, the Kochi cyber police registered a case in Oct 2024 against both accused. The petitioner had earlier approached the sessions court for anticipatory bail , but her plea was dismissed on May 9, which prompted her to move HC. In her petition, the actor alleged that Menon had sexually assaulted her under the pretext of offering her a role in his new film. She claimed that after she made a Facebook post about the alleged incident, Menon filed the complaint against her. She further contended that the penal provisions under Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act were not applicable to the facts of the case.
