July 11, 2017
Superstar Dileep, who has been arrested
for the abduction and molestation of a popular actress in February, was
on Tuesday removed as treasurer and member of the Association of
Malayalam Movies Artistes (AMMA).
Dileep was sent to 14 days judicial custody based on 19 bits of
evidence that the police were able to garner over the abduction of the
young actress on February 17 when she was travelling from Thrissur to
Kochi by road.
The actor, before being taken to the Aluva sub-jail, said: "I am
innocent and I will prove my innocence. I was trapped."
As a result of his arrest, AMMA and some other associations have
decided to remove him as their member.
AMMA executives took the decision at an emergency meeting at the house
of superstar Mammootty.
Mammootty told the media the new turn in the case and Dileep's arrest
in the matter led the executives to remove him.
"Very soon, the executives will meet again. We wish to state that we
have always been with the victim and will continue to support her.
Please don't mistake us, we are for the welfare of our members. Let the
police go forward with their probe," Mammootty said.
Present along with Mammootty was Mohanlal, who denied he had quit as
AMMA vice president, as well as Prithviraj and other members of the
executive committee.
The Producers Association also met and decided to remove Dileep from
their body and Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), also
decided to remove him from the rolls.
Meanwhile, a new body of the theatre owners which was recently floated
by Dileep is also deciding what needs to be done.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said the law will take its
course.
"Anyone who has done a wrong, irrespective of the stature will be
proceeded against. The probe is continuing and none who did a wrong
will be allowed to escape," said Vijayan.
Over the years, AMMA, led by Lok Sabha member Innocent (CPI-M), had
Mammootty, Mohanlal and Dileep at the helm of affairs along with Left
backed legislators Mukesh and K.B. Ganesh Kumar running the show.
Ganesh Kumar, who vehemently defended Dileep at the last month's AMMA
meeting, Tuesday said that it has now become clear that none can
influence the present government.
"With the arrest of Dileep, is it not now clear, that all the reports
that we were instrumental in influencing the governmentA has fallen
flat with the arrest of Dileep," said the actor-turned-four time
legislator.