I Never Framed Dileep, Says Sexually Assaulted Kerala Actress

Kochi: The sexually assaulted Malayalam actress in Kerala on Thursday responded to arrested actor Dileep's allegation of foul play, saying she never framed anyone. "I have not tried to make anyone an accused either due to personal enmity or any other reasons. I have not said any name anywhere," she said in a letter to the media.

She said that she came to know only through the media that the police found evidence of conspiracy against Dileep. "The actor claims that he has been framed in a false case, if so, I wish even that comes out fast. Whether he has committed the crime or not, it should be proved fast," she said.

She also revealed that her relation with Dileep had soured over personal issues, and that all rumours of realty deals between them were false. She was once Dileep's leading lady in many films and a close friend of his first wife, Manju Warrier. Police believe Dileep fell out with her after she tipped off Manju that he was having an affair with another actress, Kavya Madhavan. Dileep subsequently married Kavya in 2013.

The actress was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving car in Kochi on February 16 by six men, who also filmed the act.

Nearly five months after the crime, police in Kerala arrested Dileep and charged him with conspiracy, abduction and gang rape. Sources close to the investigation said police had evidence that Dileep offered Suni, the main accused in the case, Rs 1.5 crore to target the actress.

Police are now investigating who else were involved in the conspiracy.

Police sources said Kavya – herself a popular Malayalam actress – and her mother are likely to be quizzed sometime over the next few days about their alleged connection with Sunil Kumar a.k.a 'Pulsar' Suni.

Police sources say that they have got CCTV visual, from a nearby shop, of Suni entering Lakshya, Kavya's boutique, after the crime. Investigators would question her on this and also why CCTV footage at the shop was allegedly erased during the days February 16-18.

They would also examine whether someone at the boutique paid Suni Rs 2 lakh after the crime was committed, sources added. The place is managed by Kavya's mother, which is why she would also be questioned.