Malayalam actress: Had no business dealings with Dileep

If this person has committed a crime, it should be exposed at the earliest. Also, if he is innocent as he has claimed, that also should come out at the earliest, said the actress.

Actor Dileep being brought to Thrissur on Thursday. PTI

The Malayalam film actress, who was abducted and molested in February, on Thursday said she had personal issues with the arrested actor Dileep which put an end to their friendship. She denied having any business dealings with him. The actress was reacting to the arrest of Dileep, who is facing conspiracy charges in the case.

In a release to the media, she said the news about the actor’s arrest had shocked her. “I haven’t tried to make anyone an accused in the case out of personal animosity. I have not dropped any hint about any name. I had acted with this actor in several films. It is true that there had been some personal issues between us and later that friendship collapsed.” The actress said she was ready to submit any document required for the investigation. “There had been no property dealings or financial transactions between us, as is being spread in the media.”

“If this person has committed a crime, it should be exposed at the earliest. Also, if he is innocent as he has claimed, that also should come out at the earliest,” she added. Meanwhile, the police took the statement of actor Aju Varghese, booked for disclosing the name of the assaulted actress on social media. They also seized Varghese’s cellphone, with which he had allegedly posted the social media message. He was charged under Section 228 A of the IPC (disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences).

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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