Malayalam actress assault case: Dileep remanded to judicial custody; actor says he 'was trapped'

Kochi: Popular Malayalam actor Dileep, arrested in connection with the abduction and assault of a leading South Indian actress, was today remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a court in Angamaly. The actor was brought to the residence of the magistrate this morning amid tight police security. After completing all formalities, the magistrate remanded him to judicial custody. [caption id=“attachment_3745813” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Dileep in a file photo.[/caption] Dileep was later shifted to a jail in Aluva, which is also his hometown. According to this NDTV report, the actor said just before he was taken to Aluva sub-jail, “I am innocent and I will prove my innocence. I was trapped.” Hundreds of people assembled outside the residence of the magistrate and booed and raised slogans against the actor. Similar scenes were witnessed outside the Aluva sub jail. Noted lawyer K Ramkumar, who appeared for Dileep, said the actor has been charged under Section 120(B) of IPC. He said a bail application has been moved in the court. It is likely to be considered tomorrow. Ramkumar alleged that the actor was arrested after being “framed” in the case. Police said there is no instruction from the magistrate to provide any special facilities to Dileep in jail. Kerala Police chief Loknath Behra had said yesterday that the actor was arrested based on evidence police gathered during the process of investigation. The 48-year-old actor is accused of conspiracy behind the abduction and assault of the actress, an incident that has sent shock waves in the state. Police had questioned prime accused Pulsar Suni for allegedly making phone calls from jail to threaten and blackmail industry people, including Dileep. Police had secured Suni’s custody on July 5 for five days from a magisterial court at nearby Kakanad. Suni’s second arrest came after police recorded the statement of Dileep on his complaint alleging blackmail by a man, who claimed to be a friend of Suni. While being taken to the court from the jail, Suni had told reporters that names of the “sharks” involved in the conspiracy behind the abduction of the actress would soon be revealed. Police had questioned Dileep and his director friend Nadirshah for nearly 13 hours on June 29 in view of Suni’s revelations. Police protection has been provided to Dileep’s establishments including hotels and theatres. Youth outfits of various political parties, including the BJP, Congress and CPI(M) staged protests against Dileep in various parts of the state yesterday soon after the arrest. They also burnt the effigies of the actor in various places. The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on February 17 and later escaped in a busy area in Kochi. With inputs from PTI