The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala has decided that actor and MLA M Mukesh will not be required to resign from his legislative post despite a rape case being registered against him.
This decision was announced by CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan during a press conference following a party state committee meeting on Saturday.
However, the party has determined that Mukesh should step down from his role in the film-making policy committee due to the serious nature of the allegations against him. MV Govindan emphasized that if Mukesh were to resign on moral grounds and later be proven innocent, he would not automatically regain his position as MLA. Instead, he would need to be re-elected.
Govindan also pointed out that there are currently 16 MPs and 135 MLAs across the country who face charges related to offenses against women, yet have not resigned from their positions. He argued that this precedent supports the decision that Mukesh does not need to step down as MLA.
The case against Mukesh has sparked protests across Kerala, with the Congress and BJP, along with their respective youth and women's wings, demanding his resignation. The actor faces charges under IPC 376 (rape) following a complaint by a woman who claimed that Mukesh sexually assaulted her several years ago.
In the wake of multiple sexual harassment allegations against prominent Malayalam film personalities, the Kerala government has established a seven-member special investigation team to probe these cases. This move follows the Hema Committee's report, which revealed widespread harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry after the 2017 actress assault case.