Kozhikode: Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi left the Nadakkavu police station on Wednesday after being interrogated for two hours in connection with the alleged misbehaviour with a woman journalist here. Three lawyers had accompanied the actor to the station.
The police have issued a notice asking the actor to present himself before the police when summoned. The interrogation report will submitted to the court. He was questioned by Nadakkavu Inspector Jigeesh and SI Binu Mohan.
The actor who arrived at 12 pm left the station around 2.22 pm. He thanked the BJP activists and leaders for their support and requested them to disperse from the police station premises while leaving.
He had earlier decided to lead a padayatra (foot march) to the police station in protest against the interrogation. Hundreds of BJP activists and national- and state-level leaders gathered before the Nadakkavu police station and English Pally junction on Wednesday to show solidarity to the actor. Police lathi-charged at the protesters after clashes erupted between them. Read More: How BJP turned Suresh Gopi's padayatra to police station into a show of strength.
BJP State President K Surendran, National Executive Council member P K Krishna Das, State General Secretary M T Ramesh, State Vice President Sobha Surendran, and District President Adv V K Sajeevan were also part of the protests.
Interrogation room
The actor was interrogated at a modern police interrogation room in Nadakkavu police station equipped with devices capable of recording the slightest movements, facial expressions and sounds made by the accused. Devices installed in the room include a 180 degree 4-way camera, audio equipment and a recording camera.
This police system is used for interrogating accused involved in controversial incidents. This system is available only at the Nadakavu station under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner, who is also the District Police Chief.
The case
The police had summoned Suresh Gopi for questioning following a complaint from a female journalist that he misbehaved with her. The woman journalist filed a complaint about the incident with the Kozhikode City Commissioner and the Women's Commission on October 28. According to the complainant, Suresh Gopi placed his hand on her shoulder, persisting even after she pushed his hand away twice during a media address. The Commissioner subsequently referred the case to the Nadakkavu station.
The Kerala Women's Commission has also requested a comprehensive report from the police after receiving the journalist's complaint on cyberbullying. The police may submit their report during the Commission's next session in Kozhikode. Commission Chairperson P Sathi Devi remarked that it was a serious matter, and strict action would be taken against anyone targeting the complainant through social media.