Allegations of misuse of power by Ranjini Haridas, Kerala police.
By Dileep Thekkethil
A number of Malayalee community leaders in the United States have denounced the arrest of New York-based Binoy Cherian, following an argument with a popular Malayalam television reality show host at the Cochin International Airport last week.
Cherian and his family, who were on a visit to Kerala, were at an immigration line on May 16, when fellow passenger Ranjini Haridas, who was returning to the city after a U.S. trip, reportedly jumped the queue. She recently toured the US as part of an entourage that included actor Suresh Gopi, performing acts in several cities.
Haridas has been hosting the popular music show Idea Star Singer on Asianet since 2007. She has also acted in a number of Malayalam films.
Cherian reportedly objected to Haridas’ cutting in the line, leading to a war of words between the two. Each accused the other of using profanities.
Cherian was arrested following a complaint filed by Haridas with police, alleging abusive behavior. Even though a similar complaint was lodged against the TV personality by Cherian’s wife, police did not act on that initially, but then was later booked. Cherian was later let off.
The Deccan Chronicle reported that “after an initial hesitation,” a case was filed against Haridas, but the probe was “making tardy progress” as the Central Industrial Security Force, which is in charge of the airport security, has not delivered the CCTV footage of the incident to the investigators.
“The incident once again highlights the sense of entitlement that celebrities and influential people have in Kerala,” Benoy Thomas, a former general secretary of the Federation of Malayalee Associations of Americas, told The American Bazaar. “From all accounts, it is evident that Cherian was only pointing out the unfairness of Haridas’ act. Unfortunately, by siding with Haridas and arresting Cherian, law enforcement officials were enabling bad behavior on the part of celebrities.”
The Westchester Malayalee Association president Joy Ittan has written letters to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan seeking an investigation into the police action.
The association’s secretary Sreekumar Unnithan requested other Kerala associations to join his group in supporting Cherian and his family.
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