Actor Kalabhavan Mani's kin move HC, seek CBI probe into his death

KOCHI: On the first death anniversary of actor Kalabhavan Mani’s suspicious death, his brother has approached the Kerala High Court seeking a directive to CBI to take over the investigation from police. The probe being conducted by police is not fair, it is alleged.
As per the petition filed by Mani’s brother KR Ramakrishnan, certain associates of the actor, who are very scheming, cautiously administered methyl alcohol to him on March 5 last year knowing that he is suffering from chronic liver cirrhosis so as to lead to his death.
Chemical examination of the viscera indicated the presence of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and chlorpyrifos, which is a toxic ingredient of an insecticide sold under the name ‘Drusban’. Postmortem report had stated that poisoning by chlorpyrifos and methyl alcohol was the cause of death and that existing liver disease could have accelerated the death. These facts lead to a genuine apprehension that Mani’s death was nothing short of homicidal poisoning, the petition said.
Considering a representation filed by Mani’s brother, the state government decided to hand over the case to CBI but the government didn’t follow up with quick action. Police took advantage of the situation and filed a report before the court stating that Mani’s death is not vitiated and that it was a natural death, Mani’s brother has alleged.
Once the state government decided to entrust the investigation to the CBI, police could not have continued with the investigation and such action is to be viewed as a deliberate attempt to ensure that CBI does not take up the case, the petition said.