When Kalabhavan Mani passed away aged 45 in 2016, there were many speculations about his death. Now, P N Unnirajan IPS, who was part of the squad investigating the case, has unveiled the real reason behind the actor’s untimely death.
In a programme aired on Safari Channel, he said that police conducted a thorough investigation into the possible causes of death. "All the objects found on his house premises were recovered, and a detailed statement of all the people present there, including his friends and actors Jafar Idukki, Tarikida Sabu, and others who had come to meet Mani were recorded," Unnirajan said while recounting one of the sensational cases he probed.
Methyl alcohol was found in Mani’s blood, he said. "Usually, the presence of ethyl alcohol is found in the blood if you drink liquor. Methyl alcohol is commonly found in turpentine or paint remover. This is called surgical spirit," the top cop said.
Methyl alcohol is not suitable for consumption and if it exceeds 30 mg per 100 ml of blood, it could prove fatal. Unnirajan said police explored various possibilities, including whether the ace actor consumed arrack or distilled alcohol. However, it was revealed that Mani had consumed arrack three months ago. The investigation also found traces of pesticides in his blood, which led police whether Mani had consumed raw vegetables.
However, the investigation revealed that Mani was a chronic diabetic patient. "He used to take a tablet for diabetes twice a day, prescribed to him by a doctor earlier. But he was strictly told to stay away from alcohol. This is because the chemical reaction between medicine and alcohol could be harmful. On his final day, he had taken the tablet and drank beer," Unnirajan said. The investigation highlighted Mani's neglect of his health issues.
He also spoke about Mani's last stage programme and the physical toll that had on his body. "Though he was physically weak, he stood for three hours and did the show. By the time he returned, he had become very weak. Diabetes had reached a critical stage. But Mani kept his health issues to himself," Unnirajan said.
Mani's friends, including Jaffer Idukki, Nadirshah, and Tharikida Sabu, clarified that Mani had drank beer on the fateful day. Chemical analysis of the beer bottles revealed the presence of methyl alcohol, leading to discussions about beer containing methylated spirits.
The medical board in Thiruvananthapuram delved into the details of Mani's condition and discussed the causes of his death. It was revealed that Mani had ignored his illness, and the investigation was handed over to the CBI after doubts were raised by his brother Ramakrishnan about his death. The CBI reached the same conclusion as the police.
The investigation suggested that Mani’s death was a result of him neglecting the health warnings, and consuming excessive amounts of beer despite knowing the risks. "In short, we can say that Mani invited his death," Unnirajan said.
