‘D’ fallen hero

KOCHI: In a development that shocked the Malayalam film industry, actor Dileep was on Monday arrested in the abduction and sexual assault of an actress in a car in Kochi in February this year.
The actor, who was questioned for 13 hours less than a fortnight ago, was arrested on charges of hatching a criminal conspiracy to abduct and sexually assault the actress, police said.  DGP Loknath Behera confirmed the arrest at a news conference in Thiruvananthapuram late in the evening.

Dileep, who was interrogated at a police hideout near Nedumbassery along with Pulsar Suni, who was also in police custody till Monday, was brought to the Aluva Police Club in the evening. Though there were reports the actor’s manager Appunni and his close aide and director Nadirshah were also taken into custody, Behera denied it.

According to the police, Dileep’s arrest was recorded after the investigation team succeeded in establishing his involvement in the conspiracy. Sources within the investigation team told ‘Express’ Dileep allegedly hired the quotation gang and money was exchanged to Pulsar Suni, who, according to the actress, committed the dastardly act inside a moving vehicle.

Sources within the investigation team said Dileep allegedly hired the quotation gang after he came to know of the spoiler’s role played by the actor in his personal life. It is learnt the quotation was awarded a few years ago in Kochi. However, the gang led by Pulsar Suni operated the crime in February 17 while the actress was on her way to a shooting set in Kochi from Thrissur at night.

Here is a timeline of events in the Kerala actress abduction case

There were reports of real estate deals and financial transactions between Dileep and the actress, which went sour. “These are just speculations. We cannot comment on an ongoing probe,” said a police officer.
Added Behera: “Investigation is like a river, it continues to flow. We cannot predict the future,” said Behera, indicating the probe will continue.”

In the leaked letter purportedly written by Pulsar Suni, which went viral on social media, Suni had mentioned he had visited the showroom immediately after the crime. Further, there are reports Dileep and Nadirshah’s statements were contradictory.
Police charged Dileep under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and will produce him before the Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate on Tuesday. Dileep landed in police net after a marathon questioning of prime accused Pulsar Suni on Sunday, after which he was questioned from Monday morning.

Pulsar Suni, who was allegedly given a ‘quotation’ to carry out the harassment and to get the visuals captured was arrested from the Additional Chief Magistrate Court while he tried to surrender on February 23. A secondary chargesheet will be filed on the conspiracy angle.

We’ll continue our struggle, says WCC

Kochi: The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) said on Monday its members will stay united and continue its struggle to bring out the truth behind the actor abduction case, in its initial response soon after the arrest of actor Dileep. The WCC members posted on Facebook it is a fight for pride.

“We, the Women in Cinema Collective, really wanted justice for one of our colleagues who was assaulted. We believe in the police and the government, which carried this case forward and took the investigation further to this stage. Let the investigation continue. let the evidence talk. We are here with eyes and ears wide open by creating a protective shield for those who fight for justice till the end,” it said. Women’s Collective head Beena Paul ‘pained that a film personality is involved’

Four things that led to Dileep’s arrest

Alleged handing over of the memory card to  Dileep’s relative
Phone conversations with those connected with the incident and Dileep
Pulsar Suni’s revelations to the inmates who were appointed by the police
Contradictions in the statements given by Dileep and Nadirsha
Photographs of Pulsar Suni in Dileep’s movie location in Thrissur

The alleged motive

Dileep allegedly hired the quotation gang after he came to know of the spoiler’s role played by the actor in his personal life, which resulted in his divorce. Besides, there were reports of real estate deals and financial transactions between Dileep and the actress, which went sour

Amma maintains eloquent silence

Kochi: The office-bearers of AMMA, who have been batting strongly for actor Dileep since the beginning of this case, surprisingly maintained an eloquent silence on Monday after his arrest. No official statement was forthcoming till ‘Express’ went to press. The silence cannot be put aside lightly when Dileep’s clout in the industry is taken into consideration.