The Kerala Police questioned Malayalam actor Dileep for more than 12 hours on Wednesday evening in connection with the alleged abduction and molestation of a female co-star. Director Nadirshah, who accompanied the actor, was also interrogated for hours, The Indian Express reported on Thursday.
Besides the two, Dileep’s close aide Appunni also recorded his statement. The three may be questioned again to cross-check their statements, according to The Hindu. “No clean chits have been given to anyone since the case is still under investigation,” a police official, who did not want to be named, told NDTV.
Dileep told the news channel that Pulsar Suni – the actress’ driver who was sacked and is the main suspect in the case – had been blackmailing him over the phone since March. Suni allegedly asked for Rs 1.5 crore, threatening to frame Dileep in the case. The actor had complained to the police about the calls and told The Indian Express that he was questioned in connection with that. However, insiders told the daily that Dileep was questioned about his connections with the complainant and whether he knew Suni.
Earlier, the police had arrested two men who had allegedly said people in the Malayali film industry had offered them Rs 2 crore to indict Dileep in the case. So far, six people have been taken into custody, including driver Suni.
Dileep was questioned two days after he told a local TV channel that the woman was friends with the driver. The incident had happened on February 17 when a group of men allegedly waylaid her vehicle at Athani, Angamaly, in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. They reportedly took photos of her as they harassed her and fled with the car when they reached Palarivattom.
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