The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists in Kerala on Tuesday expelled actor Dileep from its primary membership after his arrest in the case related to an actress’ abduction and assault. The decision to remove him from the treasurer’s post was made at an emergency executive meeting, PTI reported.
Actor Mammootty, who is the general secretary of Amma, said the association will support the female actor. “Amma will always extend its support to its sister, who was assaulted, and will stand by her in all legal procedures,” the film body said in a statement.
Other organisations, such as the Kerala Film Producers Association and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala, also expelled the actor, reported The Times of India.
Moreover, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that his government had asked the director generals of police to ensure a proper investigation into the case. “In this case, right from the start, the accused were nabbed swiftly,” he said. “If anyone else is involved, they will also be brought before the law. They will be nabbed for sure.”
Meanwhile, Dileep was remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody on Tuesday. He has now been shifted to a jail in his hometown Aluva. His lawyer, K Ramkumar, told PTI that the actor had been framed in the case, and that their bail application may be taken up on Wednesday.
Dileep was arrested after the police found a photograph of key suspect Pulsar Suni from one of his shooting locations. It is alleged that Dileep and director Nadirshah had hired Suni – the actress’ driver who had been sacked – and others to carry out the crime. The two are believed to have had a tiff with the female actor over some business deals years ago, after which they hatched the conspiracy.
The incident took place on February 17. A group of men had allegedly waylaid the woman’s vehicle in Athani, Angamaly, in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. They then took photos of her as they harassed her and fled with the car when they reached Palarivattom.
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