THRISSUR: THREE months after the death of Kalabhavan Mani, the row over the mysterious death of the actor refuses to die down. The report on the actor’s viscera samples from the Central Forensic Lab in Hyderabad showed stark contradictions with the viscera test report of Government Regional laboratory in Kakkanad, Ernakulam.
The Kakkanad lab had found traces of pesticides, including chlorpyrifos, in the body of the actor. However, the lab report from Hyderabad found no trace of pesticides, including chlorpyrifos in Mani’s viscera sample.
Besides, the Central Forensic Lab report confirmed about 45 mg of methanol or methyl alcohol, while the Kakkanad lab reports only traces of methanol up to 26 mg in the actor’s body.
Doctors made ‘serious lapse’
Crime Branch sources told ‘Express’ that the Central lab report confirmed beyond normal level of methanol in the viscera sample.
Though they refused to comment on record, the sources said the doctors who conducted autopsy on Mani’s body had made serious lapse while preparing the report, which made the case complicated.
When asked if they would conduct further investigation into the case in the light of expert opinion on the report of the Central Lab, they said there is only remote chance for the Crime Branch to re-investigate the case as the state government has decided to hand over the case to CBI.There would be a detailed Crime Branch investigation only if the CBI refuses to take up the case.
Kin anxious over contradicting reports
R L V Ramakrishnan, brother of the actor, told ‘Express’ that they have neither received the expert opinion of the lab report nor the Central lab report on the viscera sample, despite submitting a plea to this effect.
He also said since the inception of case, there were contradicting reports on the death of Mani and they are now pinning their hopes on CBI. He also reiterated his stand that the death of Mani was pre-planned. Earlier, the state government has given consent for CBI inquiry into the death of Kalabhavan Mani acting on a plea by Ramakrishnan to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.Mani was hospitalised in an unconscious state after a binge party at his farm house in Chalakudy and died on March 6. Though a case was registered for unnatural death, the police are yet to crack the mystery behind the ‘sudden and fatal’ hospitalisation of the actor.
Mismatch
The Kakkanad lab had found traces of pesticides, including chlorpyrifos, in the body of the actor. However, the lab report from Hyderabad found no trace of pesticides, including chlorpyrifos in Mani’s viscera sample.
Besides, the Central Forensic Lab report confirmed about 45 mg of methanol or methyl alcohol, while the Kakkanad lab reports only traces of methanol up to 26 mg in the actor’s body.