A sexual assault case has been filed against prominent Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly.
The complainant, a resident of Neriamangalam, alleged that Pauly sexually assaulted her in Dubai under the guise of offering her a role in a movie in November, 2023.
The case has been officially registered in Ernakulam, Kerala, where the actor and five others have been booked under non-bailable charges. According to police sources, there are six accused in total, indicating a wider conspiracy.
According to police sources, there are six accused in the case, with Sreya identified as the first accused, followed by AK Sunil, a producer, and Binu, Basheer, Kuttan, and Nivin Pauly, who is the sixth accused. The complainant reportedly came into contact with Sreya when she was offered a job as a caregiver in Europe. However, when the job did not materialise, the complainant asked for her money back. At that point, Sreya allegedly offered her a role in a movie. The complainant has stated that she was drugged and sexually assaulted, with multiple incidents involving all six accused. These alleged incidents took place in Dubai last November.
The woman brought her complaint to the attention of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), a unit established following the release of the Hema Committee report, which addresses issues of sexual misconduct in the film industry. The SIT subsequently notified the Oonnukal police, leading to the registration of the case.
As the investigation unfolds, the allegations against Nivin Pauly and the other accused are expected to have significant repercussions, both legally and within the entertainment industry. The case comes amid the ongoing Hema Committee Report controversy.
Following the Hema report, superstar Mohanlal resigned from his position as the president of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists), along with the entire governing body. Many members of the association were also accused of sexual harassment, such as Siddique and actor-politician Mukesh.
Cases have also been registered against popular actors like Jayasurya.