Kerala Police question Suresh Gopi over woman journalist’s complaint
The former BJP Rajya Sabha member landed in trouble after a video surfaced online in which he is seen placing his hand on the shoulder of a woman journalist
Police in Kerala on Wednesday questioned actor-politician Suresh Gopi regarding a complaint by a woman journalist about his alleged misbehaviour last month.
Gopi left the Nadakkavu police station in Kozhikode after more than an hour, by when a huge crowd of BJP leaders and others including women had gathered outside to express their solidarity with him.
Before leaving the station, Gopi told the BJP supporters and his fans from the sun-roof of his car to disperse and not to create any trouble for the police.
He also expressed his gratitude to the public for their love and to senior BJP leaders of Kerala for their support.
A police officer said that the actor's arrest was not recorded but he was issued a notice under section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The officer said that in offences where the punishment is less than seven years, the accused can be allowed to go without being arrested by issuing the notice.
The complaint
The officer said Gopi's statement had been recorded.
The former BJP Rajya Sabha member landed in trouble after a video surfaced online in which he is seen placing his hand on the shoulder of a woman journalist who pushed it away twice.
After intense criticism, the actor tendered an apology, saying he only treated the journalist with affection.
Police registered the case under section 354 (outraging modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code last month based on the complaint of the journalist who works with a television channel.
While Gopi was being questioned on Wednesday, a large crowd of BJP workers, supporters and fans massed outside the police station.
Everyone insisted that the actor had committed no wrong.
"We will not let anyone harm him. He has helped countless people. He is a nice man. The allegations against him are false," most of those interviewed said.
BJP ire
Earlier, senior BJP leaders in Kerala including state chief K Surendran termed the police action "politically motivated".
Surendran told reporters that Gopi was targeted when he started speaking out against the alleged "injustices and illegalities" of the ruling CPI(M) in the state.
Police were deployed in large numbers to prevent any untoward incident outside the Nadakkavu police station.
(With agency inputs)