KOCHI: The Special Crimes Branch of the CBI in Thiruvananthapuram took possession of the case file regarding the death of film star Kalabhavan Mani from Chalakkudy circle inspector on Thursday. The CBI started preliminary examination of the case diary following a direction from the High Court.
Chalakkudy CI V S Shaju handed over the case file and documents to CBI inspector Vinod at his office around 12.30 pm, on Thursday.
A CBI officer attached to the Special Crimes Branch said the agency is yet to register an FIR in the case.
“It is a procedure carried out before taking over the probe.
We will check the case diary and related documents including the forensic and other laboratory reports. The files received from the Kerala Police would be thoroughly studied before registering the FIR,” he said.
The CBI Special Crimes SP would appoint an investigation officer after going through the files. Currently, the CBI SP in charge of the Anti Corruption Branch in Ernakulam is holding the additional charge of Special Crimes Branch.
Since the CBI cases in Thrissur district come under the jurisdiction of the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, the FIR would be registered here.
“It would take a few more weeks for registering the FIR. We are yet to appoint an investigation officer to handle the case,” the CBI officer said.
Kalabhavan Mani was hospitalised in an unconscious state after attending a drinking party at his outhouse in Chalakkudy.