Malayalam actor Dileep was arrested by the Kerala police earlier this evening.
A spokesperson for the police confirmed the news and said, “Dileep has been arrested. He was taken into custody earlier today, and his arrest is being recorded right now. Any further developments will come from the SIT. They will make an announcement shortly.”
At present, the actor is being held at the Aluva Police Club. The family of the actress has reportedly declined to comment on the actor’s arrest.
Indian Express reports that the conspiracy to abduct the actress was ‘hatched several years back’ and carried out recently. The police is said to have found enough evidence to suggest that Dileep was behind the heinous act. ADGP Sandya and IG Dinesh Kashyap were a part of the investigation team.
Mathrubhumi reports that the conspiracy was hatched in a hotel in Kochi, and that the actor had personal grudge against the actress. The accused, Pulsar Suni’s statement against the actor too, has been taken into account.
Dileep, along with his manager Nadirsha, was questioned for 13 hours by the Special Investigation Team earlier this month. Following this, ex-Kerala Police Chief TP Senkumar said:
“I cannot say if he is involved in the case or not. But on the day Dileep was questioned, there was no evidence against him.”
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“Evidence is different from suspicion,” he added.
The crime happened in February this year. The actress was abducted by Pulsar Suni and subjected to sexual assault. She was eventually dropped off in Kochi, where she filed a police complaint. News of the actress’s assault opened up intense discussion about sexism in Kerala film industry, and the lack of protection for its female artists.
Actor Dileep will be presented before the magistrate later today.