Kochi: A famous Malayalam actor was allegedly raped inside her moving car while she was headed for Kochi from her home in Thrissur. The actor is a prominent name in the film industry and has acted in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada movies, too. She has won several awards. The man driving her car, Martin, and Sunil Kumar, a history-sheeter, allegedly connived to stage an accident before she was raped. While Martin has been arrested, Sunil, the main accused, was on the run with four others who were booked in the case. Sunil was the actor's driver till a few months ago.
An FIR has been registered, said a senior police officer. Police said the actor's medical examination has confirmed rape. “Since sexual harassment is involved, the actor's identity cannot be revealed. An investigation is on in this regard,” Kochi city police commissioner M P Dinesh said.
The actor was heading to Kochi to dub for a film when her car was stopped by a gang near Angamaly. “The actor's car was hit from behind by a Tempo Traveller when Martin stopped the car, stepped out and got into a so-called altercation. Three men from the Tempo Traveller entered the car and started abusing the actor even as Martin started driving the car. The accused also shot a video and clicked pictures of the actor while abusing her for nearly an hour en route,” said a senior police officer. The car was stopped subsequently and Martin got into the Tempo Traveller, which was tailing the car, police said. “One more accused entered the car. The attackers later left her in the car when Martin got into the car again,” police said. Martin drove the actor to the house of a film director who informed police about the crime.
The actor underwent a medical examination and gave a detailed statement at the magistrate court. Preliminary investigation revealed that Sunil got Martin the driver's job. Police have also traced records of phone conversations and text messages between Martin and Sunil. “The duo made over 40 phone calls to each other, apart from sending several text messages,” said a senior police officer. Two special teams have been formed by Kerala police to investigate the case. Crime branch IG Dinendra Kashyap will head one team under the supervision of south zone ADGP B Sandhya. The second team will be exclusively to arrest the absconders.
