Congress MLA Pisharody challenges inclusion in AMMA case

Kochi, July 28 (IANS) First-time Congress MLA from Palakkad and actor-comedian Ramesh Pisharody on Tuesday alleged that he was deliberately implicated in the case against the ad hoc committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) as part of a politically motivated attempt to tarnish his image.

In an affidavit filed before the Munsif Court here, Pisharody contended that naming him as an accused was intended solely to defame him and had no legal or factual basis.

He has sought to be removed from the list of accused in the case, arguing that he had only a brief and limited association with the ad hoc committee constituted to oversee AMMA’s affairs.

According to the affidavit, Pisharody accepted the post of Chairman of the ad hoc committee only to ensure the welfare of AMMA members during a difficult phase for the organisation.

However, he stepped down from the responsibility the very next day after realising that the assignment was not appropriate for him.

The affidavit also levels allegations against actress Shwetha Menon, who had resigned as the AMMA chief.

Pisharody claimed that despite her resignation, she failed to hand over key records of the organisation, including the minutes book and other official documents, creating difficulties for those entrusted with the interim administration of the association.

Maintaining that he had neither exercised control over the functioning of the ad hoc committee nor participated in any decision that could attract criminal liability, he argued that his inclusion in the case was unjustified and appeared to have been driven by extraneous considerations rather than evidence.

The affidavit assumes significance as it marks the first detailed legal response from Pisharody after entering active politics.

Having won the Palakkad Assembly constituency in the assembly election on a Congress ticket, the actor-turned-politician has claimed that the case was designed to damage both his public reputation and political standing.

The Munsif Court is expected to consider his plea seeking deletion of his name from the list of accused in the case.

–IANS

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