Kochi, 10 April (H.S.):A crucial development is expected today in the sexual assault case involving filmmaker Ranjith, who is currently in judicial custody. The Ernakulam First Class Judicial Magistrate Court is set to deliver its verdict on the director’s bail application, a decision that could significantly impact the course of the investigation.

Ranjith was arrested following a complaint filed by a young actress, who alleged that she was sexually assaulted on a film set. The case has drawn considerable attention within the film industry and beyond, raising serious concerns about safety and accountability in workplace environments.

Opposing the bail plea, the police are expected to argue strongly for continued custody. The prosecution is likely to inform the court that further interrogation of the accused is essential and that additional evidence needs to be collected. Investigators have already taken Ranjith to a location in Fort Kochi as part of evidence-gathering procedures, but maintain that the probe is still at a critical stage.

The police have also filed a separate application seeking custody of the accused, emphasizing the need for sustained questioning to establish the full sequence of events and gather corroborative material.

Earlier, Ranjith had approached the court seeking interim bail to cast his vote in the ongoing elections. However, the court rejected the request, accepting the prosecution’s argument that individuals in judicial custody are not entitled to vote under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

With both the bail plea and custody application now before the court, today’s ruling is expected to play a decisive role in determining the immediate legal future of the filmmaker, even as the investigation continues to unfold.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman