Former Kerala MLA and filmmaker P.T. Kunju Muhammed arrested on sexual assault charges, let out on bail

P.T. Kunju Muhammed, a film director and former independent legislator, was arrested by Kerala Police on Wednesday for allegedly outraging the modesty of a woman filmmaker. The case stems from an alleged incident on November 6th at a hotel where Muhammed invited the woman to his suite room under the pretense of discussing movie selection for the IFFK. The woman filed a complaint with the Kerala Chalachitra Academy and subsequently with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, leading to the registration of a sexual assault case. The police have charged Muhammed with several offenses under the BNSS, including outraging the modesty of a woman, illegal detention, intimidation, and trespass. He has denied the allegation, claiming it was a misunderstanding and expressing his willingness to apologize publicly.