Despite identifying all the seven accused in the abduction and alleged rape of a Malayalam actor in a moving car in Kochi recently, the Kerala police has been unable to nab the prime accused Pulsar Suni.
Five days following the incident, the police have arrested four accused- the actor’s driver Martin, Vadival Salim and Pradeep who are part of a contract criminal gang and one Manikandan- and have taken several others into custody for questioning.
After the Kerala High Court, on Tuesday afternoon, deferred the hearing of anticipatory bail application filed by Sunil Kumar alias Pulsar Suni, Manikandan and Vigeesh to March 3, speculation was rife that Suni would surrender before the court the same day.
What followed was a day of anticipation, with several police personnel deployed at various courts in Ernakulam, to arrest the duo (Manikandan was arrested on Tuesday morning) even before they surrendered before the magistrate.
Late in the evening, two persons- reportedly Suni and Vigeesh- abandoned their vehicle a few kilometres near the Aluva Sessions Court and fled. A number of shop keepers who were witness to this, told the media that the duo had fled the place after learning about police cover outside the court.
Vehicle the accused used on the night of the crime
The Kerala police have been singing the same tune since the night of the crime, that they have intensified their hunt for the prime accused Sunil Kumar alias Pulsar Suni. State DGP Loknath Behera reiterated it on Tuesday, that there had been no delay from the part of the police to act on the actor's complaint.
In a "motivational" speech, Minister for Cultural Affairs AK Balan had told reporters that the Kerala police would nab Pulsar Suni, no matter what. Saying that the police have left no stone unturned in the on-going probe, the minister added:
"The film industry is a bad world and even if God is an accused in the case, arrest will be made. The probe will also look into the conspiracy angle besides who is behind this gang. Many told me when I took the cinema portfolio that I would find it tough, but I will clean it up."
A senior police officer associated with the probe told TNM that it was the media's over zealousness that has made it difficult for the police to arrest the prime accused.
"The media is reporting intricate details of the probe, including what we are going to do. When we set out to hunt for Suni, the TV channels immediately flashed it on their screens and this helps the accused get away. It gives an undue advantage to Suni," the police officer said, on condition of anonymity.
Prominent actor Rima Kallingal too questioned the delay in nabbing Pulsar Suni and expressed concern over the focus of the matter losing its importance.
"There is a lot of discussion on mafia links to cinema and about patriarchy in movies. Sure, all these are important and must be discussed. But, is this the time for that? The main suspect in the case has not been caught. Should we not be questioning that and asking if our city is safe?" she told TNM.