NELLORE: Film actress Amani’s brother Srinivas, his second wife Devikala and mother who were arrested in a dowry harassment case, were remanded in judicial custody for 14 days when they were produced in court today.
Amani, who is also an accused in the case, is still at large.
Amani’s sister-in-law Leelavathi who left her marital home and returned to her parents’ on Tuesday, filed a dowry harassment case against Srinivas, her husband of 13 years, and his second wife, and in-laws on Wednesday. Except for Amani, all other accused in the case were arrested. Special police teams have been formed to arrest the actress.
Meanwhile, Amani’s husband Khaja Mohinuddin, who is a film producer and distributor, tried in vain to talk to Leelavathi and her family members to get the case against his wife and brother-in-law withdrawn. Leelavathi and her parents Chengaiah Achari and Lakshmi Saraswati are firm on their resolve to get the accused punished. They spoke to home minister Sabita Indra Reddy last night, who promised to do justice to Leelavathi.
She reportedly directed the police to arrest Amani at the earliest.
Speaking to `Express’, 31-year-old Leelavathi said she was married to Srinivas on November 12, 1997. ``After the marriage, I learnt that my husband is an alcoholic and a sadist and he had an illicit relationship with Devikala, whom he married in 2003.
My husband harassed me in every possible manner. Instead of preventing him, his mother and sister used to abet Srinivas to harass me,’’ she said.
Leelavathi has two daughters - Preethi (11) and Layasri (5).
Preethi, who is studying in VI class, is a child artiste. She has acted in 10 films. Layasri is studying in UKG. Though Amani asked Leelavathi to act in films, she refused.
Bearing a grudge against her, Amani abetted her brother to harass me, she said.
Srinivas, a small time businessman, who took a loan of Rs 15 lakh from his fatherin- law Chengaiah Achari, did not repay the amount. “I did not tell about the harassment to my parents fearing that they would lose their prestige. Further, my three sisters had to get married. When my daughters’ future was in jeopardy, I left my marital home. After talking with my parents, I lodged a police complaint against my husband and in-laws,’’ she said.