Kochi: Close on the heels of actor Dileep’s arrest in relation to the attack on an actress in February, Kalabhavan Mani’s brother has asked for a probe into Dileep’s role in the mysterious death of Mani a year ago.
The Central Bureau of Investigation, which had taken over the case of Mani’s death as per the direction of the High Court of Kerala, is already looking into the complaint of RLV Ramakrishnan.
Mani died in March 2016 in a hospital after a session of binge drinking at his farm house at Chalakkudi. His family has cried wolf and even put several of his friends in the dock.
Dileep’s name came to be associated with the death of his former colleague after director Baiju Kottarakkara said that the two actors had done real estate transactions together. The CBI has recorded Baiju’s statements.
Though Mani had bought land at several places, his family is not aware of any of the investments. Ramakrishnan said that Baiju told him that Mani and Dileep were partners. Baiju, in turn, said that his source is a woman from Kozhikode. The CBI could go for a detailed probe into this aspect if they are convinced about the allegations.
Incidentally, Baiju has been accused of manhandling Mani during a movie shooting in Kollam in 2001. The police had registered a case against him.
Dileep was arrested on Monday for plotting the attack on the actress and hiring goons to torture her and videotape her suffering. Though the film fraternity maintained silence in favor of the influential actor, a deluge of allegations have come out from insiders since his arrest.
Dileep’s vast business interests have come under scanner along with the criminal conspiracy that led to the heinous attack on a former co-star.
Read more Kerala stories | Also read: Court to consider Dileep's bail plea today