Probe into assault of actress is in a crucial stage: DGP

Kochi: The investigation into the conspiracy angle and involvement of a third party in the abduction and assault case of a south Indian actress has entered into a crucial stage, police said Monday.

"We are taking all the best possible methods. In the last two days we have done something. Let us see," police chief Loknath Behra told TV news channels.

The Director General of Police said he reviewed the case with the probing team.

The investigation is going on in right direction and there is absolute coordination among police officials probing the case, he said.

Asked about the possibilities of fresh arrests in the case, Behra said the police was empowered to arrest.

"Arrest should be done as part of investigation. Arrest can also be done on the basis of suspicion. We will take a call on it," he said.

The DGPs statement comes days after popular Malayalam actor Dileep and his director-friend Nadirshah were questioned in view of fresh revelations in the case.

After completing more than 12 hour-long interrogation of Dileep and Nadirshah last week, police had said if necessary, they would be called again for questioning.

Both of them were summoned to Aluva police club on June 28 to take a detailed statement on Dileeps complaint that he was blackmailed by a man, who claimed that he was a friend of Pulsar Suni, the prime accused in the case.

"Questions were asked based on Dileeps complaint and regarding other cases too. That is the reason why it took a long time to complete," Ernakulam Rural SP, A V George, who is part of the investigation team headed by ADGP B Sandhya, had said after completing the procedure on June 29.

The actors manager was also questioned as he had received a purported threat call from Pulsar Suni.

Dileep had earlier said he filed the complaint with the Director General of Police along with evidence of blackmailing, allegedly with the knowledge of Pulsar Suni.

Nadirshah had on June 24 said a man named Vishnu, claiming to be Sunis friend, had telephoned him seeking a huge amount from the actor.

He had said Vishnu, who claimed to have shared a cell with Suni in jail, told him that some people in the Malayalam film world had offered money to Suni if he said Dileep was a conspirator in the case during interrogation.

Nadirshah had also claimed that Vishnu offered to give him money for helping to trap Dileep in the case.

Six persons, including Pulsar Suni, Martin and Vigeesh were arrested in connection with the incident.

The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on February 17 night and later escaped into a busy area in Kochi.