Kerala superstar Dileep arrested on conspiracy charges in actress kidnapping case

After five months of intense drama and suspense the Kerala Police on Monday arrested Malyalam actor Dileep and his director friend Nadirshah in connection with the alleged abduction and rape of a popular south Indian actor in Kochi.

The woman actor who was returning after a shooting was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving car by a criminal gang on Feb 17. They took the video of the assault and threatened to release it if she complained to the police. Though the police arrested all accused directly involved in the crime there were strong speculations that they carried out the job at the behest of someone.

State police chief Loknath Behra later confirmed the arrest. He said the police have got clinching evidence to prove the involvement of the actor. Two weeks back the SIT probing the case had questioned the actor for more than 13 hours.

Last month, Dileep’s name surfaced in a jail inmate’s letter who shared the cell with Suni. Since then, Dileep has been facing a lot of heat. While Suni and his accomplices were arrested within a week of the kidnapping, police stumbled upon the conspiracy angle last week.

A timeline of the abduction and rape case:

Feb 17: A south Indian actor abducted, molested and photographed in a moving car near Kochi. She was let off after three-hour ordeal and assailants threatened to make video public if she approached police
Feb 18: The gutsy actor files a complaint. Driver of the car Martin arrested. SIT formed
Feb 24: Main accused Sunil Kumar alias Pulsar Suni and his accomplice Vijesh arrested while planning surrender
Feb 26: No conspiracy in attack, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Big hue and cry alleging sabotage of the probe. No headway in probe.
April 16: Actor Dileep and friend Nadirshah approach police complaining blackmail threats. Police sat over their plaint.
June 20: Suni’s letter to actor Dileep asking for money and audio of blackmail call from jail surface
June 28: Police grill Dileep, his manager Appunni and Nadirshah for 13 hours. Police say no clean chit to Dileep.
June 30: Police raid Dileep’s wife Kavya Madhavan’s online apparel store in Kochi.
July 1: Photos of Pular Suni with Dileep surfaces. Dileep earlier claimed he never met him and has no connection with him.
July 2: DGP Loknath Behra expresses concern over delay and asks the SIT to speed up probe
July 11: Actor Dileep and friend Nadirshah arrested