The Kerala High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against Malayalam film director Ranjith in connection with a 2009 case alleging that he tried to outrage the modesty of an actress.

The FIR, registered in August 2024, accused Ranjith of inviting the actress to his apartment for a film discussion, where he allegedly held her hand and attempted to touch her inappropriately.

He was booked under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC.

Justice C Pratheep Kumar, while allowing the petition to quash the case pending before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam, observed that the cognizance of the offence was taken after an inordinate delay.

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