ALAPPUZHA:Film director P Balachandra Kumar, whose revelations against actor Dileep in the 2017 actor abduction and assault case led the police to conduct further investigations, passed away at 52 due to renal ailments at a private hospital in Chengannur on Friday.
Kumar, a native of Manakkootam, Thirupuram, Thiruvananthapuram, had been undergoing treatment for kidney and heart ailments for several years. He directed the film Cowboy in 2013. The body was taken to Thiruvananthapuram where the funeral will be held.
After the trial in the actor abduction case commenced in January 2020, Kumar came out with a statement that Dileep had received a copy of the assault visuals. He came to know about it when he was at the residence of Dileep to discuss a movie project. This prompted the court to permit the investigation team to conduct a further probe into the case in December 2021.
Later Crime Branch registered a fresh case against actor Dileep and five others based on the statement of Kumar that the former had allegedly conspired to kill the officers who probed the abduction and rape incident. Kumar was also turned witness in the actor abduction and rape case. He was examined as a prosecution witness as part of the trial.
Currently, the trial in the actor abduction case is in the final stages with the prosecution arguments proceeding at the Ernakulam District Sessions Court.