Kerala court grants pre-arrest bail to actor-MLA Mukesh in alleged rape case
Thiruvananthapuram: A Kerala district sessions court in Ernakulam has granted pre-arrest bail to Malayalam actor and CPI(M) legislator M Mukesh in a case of alleged rape. The court observed that the complainant had not initially mentioned forced sexual intercourse in her first statement and made this allegation only after the initial bail plea hearing.
The case against Mukesh emerged following the release of the Hema Committee report, which exposed widespread sexual misconduct in the Malayalam film industry. The court noted that the complainant, who is a law graduate, had sought financial assistance from Mukesh on two occasions, which led the judge to distinguish between rape and consensual sex. The complainant had alleged that Mukesh raped her in 2010 after promising her membership in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).
The court also granted pre-arrest bail to Edavela Babu, a former general secretary of AMMA, who was also named in the case. The opposition has been demanding Mukesh’s resignation following these developments.
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WB BJP chief urges state admin to act against violence perpetrators irrespective of party colours
Kolkata (PTI): A day after the BJP's sweeping victory in the West Bengal assembly polls, state party president Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday urged the administration to act firmly against perpetrators of post-poll violence irrespective of political affiliation.
Addressing reporters after a meeting of the party's top leadership at its Bidhannagar office, Bhattacharya said strict action must be taken against those indulging in violence and warned that BJP workers found involved in such activities would be expelled from the party.
"Post-poll violence would not be tolerated in any form. If anyone from our party is found involved, we will be compelled to remove them," he said.
The BJP leader also appealed to Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala to ensure prompt administrative intervention wherever incidents of violence are reported.
"I would like to urge the administration to take necessary action wherever such incidents occur. This is precisely why the people of West Bengal have chosen the BJP," he said.
Bhattacharya thanked the electorate for the party's emphatic mandate and expressed gratitude to migrant workers who returned to the state to cast their votes despite logistical challenges.
According to party sources, a high-level meeting was held at the BJP's Bidhannagar office on Tuesday, attended by central observers and senior state leaders, to discuss measures to prevent violence and maintain law and order in the post-result scenario.
The discussions also focused on ensuring that there is no repeat of the violence reported after the 2021 assembly elections, when the BJP had accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of targeting its workers.
The BJP has secured 207 of the 293 seats where polls were held, securing a two-thirds majority and paving the way for its first government in West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress has won 80 seats.
Bhattacharya also appealed to party workers to maintain restraint and not let the victory celebrations turn disruptive.
"I urge our workers to remain peaceful, stay happy, and fulfil the responsibilities given by the party. Do not hurt anyone in the name of celebration, and do not hurt anyone's sentiments," he said.
