2 days ago
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
