Kerala actress abduction: Missing Appunni makes cinematic entry; appears before SIT

Kochi: A.S. Sunilraj alias Appunni, personal manager of actor Dileep, on Monday finally appeared before the Special Investigation Team probing the conspiracy behind the abduction and sexual assault of an actress four months back, however, he was released by cops after a six-hour long interrogation session. Appunni, who was in hiding, was summoned for questioning after the cops noticed his coming under the same tower locations on all four occasions when Dileep was found to have held discussions with Pulsar Suni, main accused in the case.

Sources said Appuni’s mobile phone was seized by the cops who mainly asked him about Suni calling him on phone from jail and conspiracy in the case. Appunni is learnt to have admitted to have met Vishnu, ninth accused in the case, purportedly on behalf of Dileep to settle “dispute” with Suni. However, his reply to queries about his presence when the conspiracy was hatched was “not satisfactory”. “He may be subjected to another round of questioning based on the new evidence garnered during the probe progress,” they said.

Earlier in the morning, the Aluva Police club witnessed drama as a person resembling Appunni reached there at 10.40 am. As the waiting media ran after him with queries, Appunni managed to reach inside the police club compound in a car. Later, the media personnel identified him to be Shibu – elder brother of Appunni. Sources said Shibu, who had worked as a driver for Dileep earlier, was summoned for interrogation along with Appunni. Meanwhile, the SIT during the day also collected statements of film maker Sreekumar Menon in connection with the case. He was summoned to the Aluva Police Club for interrogation reportedly on the basis of a statement given by Dileep.