In a shocking incident which once again proves the alarming state of women's safety in the country, a popular Malayalam actor was attacked by a group of men on Friday night. The actor was reportedly traveling from Thrissur to Kochi in a Mahindra SUV when the driver, Martin, a Koratti native, abducted her.
She was travelling in a film production unit vehicle. Her previous driver, a person named 'Pulsar' Suni from Perumbavoor, was an accused in a murder case and the actor had asked that he be replaced. The new driver, Martin, was suggested by Suni.
Suni was reportedly unhappy with the actor over the loss of his job and was also part of the plan. On Fridaynight, Suni and a gang of men attacked the actor's vehicle in a van near Angamaly. Martin was part of the plan.
Following the staged accident, the men abducted the actor and took her in their van. They roamed around Kochi city for about 2.5 hours and allegedly assaulted her.
She was later dropped near a director's house and she filed a complaint at the Nedumbassery police station with the help of the director. The actor has said in the complaint that she was assaulted many times inside the vehicle and that the gang also took obscene pictures on their phones.
The crime took place around 10 pm. Actor and MP Innocent has said that he has spoken to the DGP regarding the incident and that the latter will conduct an enquiry about it directly.
The police has arrested Martin, one of the suspects.
Ramesh Chennithala, former Home Minister, has condemned the attack and has said that the incident shows the deterioration of law and order.
Since this is a case of suspected sexual assault, TNM is withholding the name of the victim.