Malayalam actress assault: How Kerala CM almost derailed the investigation

Just hours after the arrest of Pulsar Suni in the abduction and arrest of popular Malayalam actress, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dismissed the conspiracy angle in the case and stated that the crime was hatched by the prime suspect alone. He was apparently trying to dismiss the rumours that a popular actor was involved in the conspiracy. 

"It was the creation of the prime suspect. It (the crime) was hatched in his mind," Pinarayi Vijayan stated a public function on 24 February.  "There are allegations about an actor, such as police were behind an actor and that he was questioned... It was a lie," the Chief Minister said while assuring stern action against the culprits.

But the CM's statement surprised many as the police were yet to complete the interrogation of the suspects arrested when he dismissed it as a handiwork of the prime accused. 

On Saturday, the counsel of Pulsar Suni used the CM's statement to counter the request of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for getting the accused in police custody. In response to it, the SIT clarified that there was a conspiracy behind the abduction. But the court dismissed the argument of the counsel and granted the plea to get the accused in police custody. 

Meanwhile, Pinarayi Vijayan's statement was widely criticised across the political spectrum. The opposition alleged that it was an attempt to misguide the investigation team. The Congress even alleged that the CM was unnecessarily meddling with the investigation and demanded CBI probe. 

"The CM's statement, just after the arrest of the suspects, was unwarranted and highly objectionable. It is full of dubious hints and amounts to giving direction to the investigation team and putting pressure on them," Annie Raja, CPI. 

"Where did the CM get such crucial information from? The statement will affect the investigation." BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan.

"CM statement dented the credibility of the whole investigation. The case should be handed over to the CBI," KPCC president VM Sudheeran. 

On Sunday, Pinarayi Vijayan clarified that his statement was distorted by the media. "I was not quoting any official information. What I said was that the media need not go after the conspiracy. Let the police investigate it," he said. 

  What I said was that the media need not go after the conspiracy. Let the police investigate it: Pinarayi Vijayan

• actress abducted
• Pinarayi Vijayan
• Conspiracy in Actress's abduction
• Pulsar Suni