Kozhikode: Popular filmmaker Ranjith has moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the sexual assault case against him. In his plea, he claimed innocence and alleged conspiracy behind the complaint filed by a Bengali actor. He argued that the female actor came up with a complaint, citing an incident that took place 15 years ago.

He alleged that the complainant raised false charges against him for not casting her in his state award-winning movie 'Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha'. He also alleged that some people with vested interests plotted the conspiracy to remove him from the Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman post. In his plea, he also cited his health issues as well as his clean image in a career spanning 37 years in the film industry.

The Bengali actor accused Ranjith of inappropriately touching her during the discussion of his movie at his Kochi flat in 2009. Following this allegation, Ranjith stepped down as the chairman of Kerala. On August 26, Ernakulam North police slapped sexual assault charges on the director after receiving a complaint from the female actor.