Actor Kasthuri Shankar, who was arrested over her alleged defamatory remark against Telugu-speaking people, has been remanded in judicial custody till November 29 by a Chennai court.
She was later escorted to Puzhal central jail.
Kasthuri was arrested from Hyderabad on Friday, a day after the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court dismissed her anticipatory bail petition. A Chennai police team traced her to a film producer's house in the Telangana capital and effected the arrest.
After preliminary questioning at the Chintadripet All Women Police Station in Chennai, she was produced before a Magistrate Court in Egmore, who remanded her in judicial custody.
"Kasturi was hiding at film producer Hari Krishnan's house in Hyderabad. She was using Hari's mobile phone to speak to her friends and lawyer," a police officer told the Times of India.
Actor Kasthuri Shankar being grilled in Chennai
— Sudhakar Udumula (@sudhakarudumula) November 17, 2024
Arrested in Hyderabad, Transferred to Chennai for Questioning. Kasthuri, who was arrested in Hyderabad, has been transported to Chennai and is currently at the Sindathirippet Police Station for questioning.
Kasthuri Shankar,… pic.twitter.com/mzYLIuXTry
The actor made the controversial remark last week during a Brahmin meet in Chennai. She allegedly claimed that the Telugu speaking people, who had come to Tamil Nadu centuries ago to serve the then rulers, were now claiming to be Tamils, while Tamil Brahmins were not considered Tamil.
The remarks sparked a storm, and a member of the Naidu Mahajana Sangam State Executive Committee filed a case against the actor.
The actor tendered an apology and accused the “anti-Hindu DMK network” of spreading false news about her statement.
"People of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will never fall for their lies. No one dares to insult my love and loyalty for the Telugu land that has given me love and acceptance,” she said.
