Third Accused Tries to End Life as Verdict Nears in Kerala Actress Assault Case

Kochi: Manikandan, the third accused in the 2017 actress assault case, attempted suicide after being released on station bail, police said on Saturday. He was taken into custody on Friday night for allegedly creating a public disturbance while under the influence of alcohol. After police completed the procedure and granted him bail, he reportedly cut the veins on his hands near the Palarivattom police station.

Locals and police officers immediately took him to the nearest hospital and his life was saved, the officer said. "What is the exact reason behind his suicide attempt is not known," he added. Manikandan was later discharged from the hospital and sent with his family members, police said.

The suicide attempt by Manikandan comes in the wake of a Kerala court on Tuesday saying it will on December 8 pronounce judgement in the 2017 actress assault case in which actor Dileep is one of the 10 accused. The actress-victim, who has worked in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, was abducted and allegedly molested in her car for two hours by some persons who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017 and later escaped in a busy area. The entire act was filmed by those persons to blackmail the actress.

There are 10 accused in the case, including actor Dileep, and all of them, including prime accused Sunil N S also known as 'Pulsar Suni', are out on bail. All 10 accused have to appear before the trial court on December 8 when the verdict will be pronounced. PTI HMP