In a recent turn of events, celebrated Malayalam film actor Unni Mukundan found relief after a cloud of controversy surrounding him was finally cleared. The Kerala High Court, making headlines on Wednesday, decided to put a halt to the criminal proceedings filed against Mukundan in a much-debated sexual harassment case.
Rewinding to the origins of the story, the actor faced serious allegations back in 2017. An Austrian woman with Indian roots had claimed that during a meeting to discuss a potential movie storyline, Mukundan had made unwarranted advances. The actor was accused of attempting to kiss her against her will and even faced graver charges.
However, the legal battle experienced various twists and turns. Initially, Mukundan’s pleas for dismissing the proceedings were turned down by the court, leading him to seek relief from higher legal platforms. The charges, rooted in Sections 354 and 354B of the IPC, weighed heavily against him, adding fuel to the rampant media speculation. But, the tables took a significant turn recently.
Earlier this year, a fresh plea brought forth an affidavit from the complainant herself, shedding light on a personal settlement reached between her and the actor. As the case reached the Kerala High Court, the woman, via her counsel, confirmed her decision to withdraw her accusations and not proceed with the legal battle against Mukundan.
The court, after careful evaluation, pronounced that continuing the proceedings would not serve any public interest, especially given the personal settlement between the involved parties. Hence, the curtains were drawn on the legal proceedings, giving the actor a chance to move forward.
