Cine actress Joemol filed a case against her parents at the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Kunnamangalam, on Monday, for ‘cheating, misappropriation of assets and breach of trust’. An emotionally charged Joemol, along with her husband Chandrasekhar Pillai and lawyer, told a news conference that her father has taken away all her assets she earned through acting from 1997 to 2002.
“It was my father who handled the remuneration I got from films, inaugurations and other functions which would roughly come to around Rs. one crore. What is left in my bank account is only Rs 614.
The rest is with my father,’’ she said. Joemol said she has learnt that her father K.A. John owns a petrol bunk. “My brother has bought a costly motorbike. All this is using my money because I was the only earning member in my family,’’ she said. Joemol said her family has sold their house at Chevayoor. “Not even the neighbours know where they are now,’’ she said.
The actress, who shot to fame in her role in Ennu Swantham Janakikutty, said she was harassed and tortured by her family members. “Whenever I tried to raise the issue of remuneration, it was one against three – my mother, father and brother joined together to attack me,’’ she said.
“My father had told everyone that I was given everything due to me when I got married. But the truth is that not a single paise was given to me. In fact, they wanted me to wear borrowed jewellery at the wedding. I refused. All the ornaments I wore during the function was given by my husband.’’ Joemol, who is now living in Mumbai, said she has changed her name to Gouri Chandrasekhar Pillai.
“My father has forced me to sign many blank cheques and papers. I don’t know how they will be used against me,’’ she said. Joemol revealed that she had actually eloped with Chandrasekhar Pillai before getting married. The marriage function was organised to save the face of the family. “My father is a very influential man. That is why I approached the court,’’ she said.
“I had read about Meera Jasmine’s experience in newspapers. My request to those in the industry is that they should know their financial dealings. Otherwise they will be doomed,’’ she said. Joemol said there are very few people, including actor Suresh Gopi, with whom she confided the torture she faced from the family.
“I informed Suresh Gopi today that I am moving court against my family. I have decided to move court because I want my kid to enjoy my hard–earned assets,’’ she said. The Magistrate has forwarded the case to the Medical College police for further investigation.
P.M. Harris, her lawyer who was present at the press conference, said Ms. Gowri had filed the case against her father under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The major charges include criminal breach of trust (Sections 405, 406), breach of trust by person bound to protect by contract or by law (Section 418), and misappropriation by agent (Section 409) and inducement of property by making false representation.
