Legal Storm Brews for Unni Mukundan: Actor Summoned in Sexual Harassment Case Amidst Modi Biopic Buzz

The legal spotlight has unexpectedly fallen on popular Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan, who finds himself summoned by a Kozhikode court to appear on March 1st. This significant development arrives hot on the heels of the actor’s recent announcement that he is set to portray Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an eagerly anticipated biopic, adding a layer of dramatic tension to his burgeoning career.

The summons stems from a sexual harassment case filed in 2017 by a woman scriptwriter.

The complainant alleged that the incident occurred at Mukundan's apartment in Kochi when she had visited him to narrate a story. This long-standing legal battle has seen several twists and turns over the years, culminating in the current court order.

Previously, Unni Mukundan had secured a stay on the proceedings from the Kerala High Court, providing a temporary reprieve.

However, in a crucial development in February 2023, the complainant successfully moved the High Court to lift this stay. The High Court's decision was reportedly influenced by serious procedural irregularities identified in Mukundan's initial application for the stay. These included discrepancies such as the alleged non-matching signature of the actor and a lack of proof regarding the lawyer's vakalatnama (power of attorney) submission, casting a shadow over the legitimacy of the stay order.

Following the High Court's ruling, the Kozhikode Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-1 has now issued a direct summons to Unni Mukundan and the production company involved.

When queried, Mukundan's lawyer, Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor, stated that he was unaware of the High Court's order lifting the stay on the case. However, the complainant's steadfast pursuit has ensured the legal process continues.

Police had previously filed a chargesheet against the actor under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty.

As Unni Mukundan prepares to step into the shoes of a national leader on screen, he must first address these serious allegations in court, marking a critical juncture in both his personal and professional life.