July 11, 2017
Malayalam superstar Dileep, who was
arrested in connection with the abduction and molestation of a popular
actress in February, was remanded in custody on Tuesday for 14 days and
was removed as member from various film associations.
"I am innocent and I will prove my innocence. I was trapped," the
actor, who has featured in over 130 films in the past 25 years, said
before being taken to the Aluva sub-jail.
On Monday, the 48-year-old star was questioned and later the police
probe team recorded the arrest of the actor, following which he was
brought to the Aluva Police Club.
The police decided to arrest Dileep based on 19 pieces of evidence that
they were able to gather in connection with the abduction of the young
actress on February 17 when she was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi
by road.
After almost two hours, she was dumped near the house of
director-turned-actor Lal, who upon hearing her harrowing experience,
informed the police. She was reported to have been molested enroute.
A week after the incident, the police probe team arrested Pulsar Suni
and his aides, who allegedly carried out the kidnapping.
Trouble began for Dileep last month after his name surfaced in a jail
inmate's letter who had shared the cell with Suni.
Following this, Dileep was called for questioning. During the marathon
questioning for 13 hours, he claimed that he did not know Suni and was
let off. But by then the police had established the fact that Suni was
at the shooting location of Dileep's film in November at Thrissur. A
photo of Suni at the film locales was released by TV channels.
Counsel for Dileep, K. Ramkumar, said on Tuesday that the actor's bail
application would be taken up by the Angamaly court on Friday. The
police will also move an application for Dileep's custody, for further
questioning.
Meanwhile, executives of Association of Malayalam Movies Artistes
(AMMA) -- which had come under heavy attack from several quarters over
its stand on the issue -- removed Dileep as treasurer and member.
The AMMA executive took the decision at an emergency meeting at the
house of superstar Mammootty, who told the media: "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 ahead with their probe."
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 theatre owners which was recently floated by
Dileep is also mulling its future course of action.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said 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.
Dileep began his career as third assistant to a few directors. Then he
became an actor and achieved superstardom with films like
"Thenkasipattanam", "Joker", "Ishtam", "Mazhathullikkilukkam",
"Kalyanaraman", "Meesa Madhavan" and "Kunjikoonan".
A hugely talented mimicry artiste, Dileep had in his initial days
formed a troupe, after which he landed a debut role -- a cameo -- in
the film "Ennodishtam Koodamo". He then experienced a steady rise to
stardom, and got a further boost after he married the hugely popular
and talented actress Manju Warrier in 1998.
Dileep also launched his own production company in mid-2000, following
which he acquired his own movie halls and started becoming an integral
part of various film organisations.
In January 2015, he and his wife parted ways, and in November last
year, he married Kavya Madhavan -- another hugely popular actress.