The Kerala High Court has ordered filmmaker Major Ravi, a former army officer turned director, to stand trial in a sexual harassment case stemming from accusations made by a journalist. The decision, issued by Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan on August 12, affirms a lower court’s ruling that had previously directed the filmmaker to face legal proceedings.
The case revolves around comments allegedly made by Major Ravi in 2016 during a speech, which a senior journalist from a leading Malayalam TV channel found derogatory and offensive. The Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court took cognizance of the case under Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to sexual harassment, and Section 120(O) of the Kerala Police Act.
Justice Kunhikrishnan dismissed Major Ravi’s petition challenging the lower court’s decision, emphasizing the responsibility public figures hold in maintaining decorum while addressing the public. The court remarked, “The common people will usually watch them and their words. While making speech and statements, it is the duty of such people to be careful.”
The High Court also highlighted that facing trial provides Major Ravi an opportunity to prove his innocence and dismissed his plea to quash the lower court’s order using the extraordinary jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C).
