Two Malayalam Actors Arrested for Alleged Assault and Robbery

Police in Kochi have arrested actress Athulya Chandra and actor Bibin Perumpally in connection with allegations of assault, confinement, and robbery against a doctor. The incident reportedly occurred on 2 November and has drawn significant attention due to the identities of the accused.

The 41-year-old victim, a doctor from Kureekkad in Ernakulam district, filed a complaint claiming he was lured to an apartment under the pretext of providing medical assistance. According to the First Information Report (FIR), he was told that the maternal aunt of one of the female accused was seriously ill and required urgent medical care.

Upon his arrival at the location, the doctor was confronted with grave accusations, including that he had administered narcotics and had sexually assaulted the aunt of one of the accused. The FIR states that Bibin Perumpally, who was named as the first accused, physically assaulted the doctor by striking him and restraining him to a chair. During this encounter, the second accused allegedly took the victim's belonging—including two mobile phones, a smartwatch, and a pair of wireless earphones—valued at approximately ₹3.25 lakh (around £3,200).

Athulya Chandra is accused of verbally abusing the doctor and making threats against his life. Following the altercation, the doctor reported his injuries to the police two days later, indicating he was in considerable pain and fearful of further repercussions from the accused.

The case has registered 12 individuals as implicated, with Athulya Chandra identified as the third accused. The police have initiated an investigation and stated that the charges against the actors include wrongful confinement, voluntary bodily harm, making obscene remarks, criminal intimidation, and robbery under sections of the Indian Penal Code deemed non-bailable.

Officers are currently probing the incident to determine the underlying motive and whether the assault was premeditated. Athulya Chandra is known for her roles in various Malayalam films, including the recent crime thriller ‘Uyir’. Bibin Perumpally gained recognition for his portrayal of a police officer in the film ‘Lokah’.

Both actors were taken into custody on Thursday morning after preliminary investigations by the authorities.