The prime accused in the abduction of a prominent Malayalam actress remained absconding on Tuesday, even as state Minister for Cultural Affairs A.K. Balan said arrests would be made in the case "even if God is an accused".
The police team has still not been able to arrest Pulsar Sunil -- a history-sheeter and one who has been a driver to many in the Malayalam film industry.
Speaking to media in Kozhikode on Tuesday, Balan said no stone would be left unturned in the ongoing probe.
"The film industry is a bad world and even if God is an accused in the case, arrest will be made. The probe will also look into the conspiracy angle besides who is behind this gang. Many told me when I took the cinema portfolio that I would find it tough, but I will clean it up," Balan said.
His statement came soon after actor-turned-politician and former Cinema Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar said in the Malayalam film industry there is a practice of "relying on goons to establish oneself".
"There are several undesirable things happening in the industry here, which I am unable to say it openly. But I will now reveal everything I know to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This sort of happening has occurred with others too in the film industry, but for fear of ostracism, they have remained silent. There is an urgent need to round up the goons in Kochi," Kumar, a sitting legislator, said.
The actress was abducted on February 17 while travelling from Thrissur to Kochi by road.
She was dumped near a director-turned-actor's house, from where the police were informed and her driver Martin was arrested.
The victim told the police that Pulsar Sunil committed the crime at the behest of others. Sunil reportedly told the actress that he had been hired to kidnap her and if she resisted, he would have to use force.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday posted his anticipatory bail application for March 3, giving the police further time to arrest him and save their face, as he was able to meet his counsel.
On Tuesday, several police officials dressed in plain clothes waited near courts in and around Kochi to arrest the prime accused with reports that he might come on the sly and surrender before a court.
The state BJP spokesperson M.S. Kumar told reporters in the capital city that the prime accused was helped by state police to give the slip.
"This happened on the national highway with the knowledge of the Home Department and hence, the combing operations did not take place properly. This helped the accused to escape," the BJP spokesperson said.
The police has so far arrested four persons and are keeping a close tab on the prime accused and two others.
The police is preparing a list of people from the film industry from whom statements would be taken as they have got call details of the prime accused, who had contacts with several people in the industry, including a popular actor.
Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that time is running out to arrest the prime accused and people are waiting to know the truth.
"The proof that the probe is on the right track is when results emerge, but in this case the prime accused is still at large," Chandy said on Tuesday at Malappuram.
--IANS
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