Police seek three-day custody of Ranjith, to summon people on film set

KOCHI: The police have sought three days' custody of director Ranjith, arrested in a sexual abuse case. The police have clarified that detailed questioning is necessary. Ranjith, who was remanded for 14 days, is presently lodged in the Ernakulam sub-jail. Ranjith's custody and bail plea are likely to be considered on Saturday. The First-Class Judicial Magistrate's Court in Kochi considered the case the other day, but it was postponed to Saturday as the production warrant was not ready. As the lawyer who appeared for Ranjith withdrew from the vakalath, a new lawyer will replace him.

The police were not able to question Ranjith as he developed uneasiness soon after his arrest. So, the police sought his custody on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The police are summoning those present on the film set on the day of the assault for further investigation. Many are not presently in Kerala. They are in Mumbai and the police have asked them to reach Kochi immediately.

An actress filed a complaint against Ranjith for misbehaving with her in a caravan on January 28 at the shooting location in Fort Kochi. The Thodupuzha police stopped the car in which Ranjith was travelling near Muttam on the Thodupuzha-Puliyanmala route at night and took him into custody. The actress had filed the complaint with the DGP and the Kochi Central Police. The new complainant is an actress who is presently acting in the film that Ranjith is directing. The complaint is that after entering the caravan without permission, Ranjith caught hold of her and then he tried to kiss her.