Had no financial or property disputes with Dileep: Actress

THRISSUR: Shedding silence for the first time since she was abducted and sexually assaulted in February, the actress has finally spoken out about the arrest of actor Dileep. Refuting canards spread by rumour mills, the survivor clarified she had no property or financial dealings or dispute with the actor.

The statement was released to media by Rajesh B Menon, the actress’ cousin, on her behalf. She said there is no modicum of truth in the rumours being spread through social media the incident was a fallout of disputes between them with regard to property and financial deals. If required, the actress said, she was ready to produce all documents required by the officers in this regard.

“Since I am not there in any social media platforms, rumours are being spread by others in my name by posting fake pictures. I want to clarify none of this is being done with my knowledge,” she said. 

Earlier, she had said, like everyone, the recent incidents had shocked her. But she never dropped names. She admitted there were personal issues between her and Dileep which eventually severed their friendship. “I later came to know through media the evidence was against him,” she said.“The actor has claimed innocence. If he is right I wish he comes out at the earliest. But if he has committed the crime, then it should be proved, too,” she said.

Aju Varghese’s phone seized

Kochi: The police on Thursday interrogated actor Aju Varghese and seized his phone in the case related to disclosing the identity of the actress who was assaulted in Kochi in February.  A team led by Kalamassery CI S Jayakrishnan interrogated Varghese for around one-and-half hour. Police officers said Aju admitted to mentioning the actress’ name in a Facebook post, which appeared on June 26, and apologised after realising his folly. The police sent his phone for scientific examination to verify whether the post - which had invited the ire of several netizens - was uploaded from it. The officers said Varghese’s arrest and further action will be taken only after the results of the examination were received. 

Court to hear actor’s bail plea today
Kochi: The Angamaly JFCM Court will hear the bail application of Dileep on Friday. The court had held a preliminary hearing on his plea on Wednesday and posted it for further hearing on Thursday. However, it postponed it as the investigation team failed to present its probe report. Dileep’s 48-hour custody is ending on Friday morning. He is expected to be produced before the magistrate around 11 am. Meanwhile, the SIT rubbished rumours of them collecting the statement of Dileep’s wife Kavya Madhavan through video-conferencing on Thursday.

Mani’s kin point fingers at Dileep
Kochi: Actor Dileep on Thursday faced a fresh allegation after the family members of Kalabhavan Mani urged the CBI to investigate his suspected involvement in Mani’s mysterious death. Mani’s brother R L V Ramakrishnan told Express director Baiju Kottarakkara claimed Dileep was involved in several land transactions with Mani. Ramakrishnan said he had conveyed this to the CBI officer probing Mani’s demise. “We knew about Mani’s real estate business but were unaware of his land transactions with Dileep. Baiju’s serious allegations against Dileep have to be looked into. We informed the CBI and they said they will speak to Baiju,” he said.

Evidence collection:  Dileep taken to Thrissu

Thrissur: The Special Investigation Team(SIT)probing the actor assault on Thursday brought Dileep here to gather evidence in the case. Dileep was taken to Joys Palace Hotel, Hotel Garuda and Thrissur Tennis Club, the third one of vital importance to the prosecution case, since it was a selfie taken at the club showing prime accused Pulsar Suni standing in the background which punctured Dileep’s claim they hardly knew each other. Though the reporters shouted questions at Dileep, he kept mum. The AIYF activists staged a protest when the police team along with the actor reached the  Tennis Club. The police have been granted two days’ custody of Dileep for further interrogation and evidence collection.