Kochi flat blackmail case takes twist as doctor booked for sexual assault

Kochi: In a major twist in the flat blackmail case involving actor and model Athulya Chandra and actor Bibin Perumbilly, Infopark police have registered a sexual assault case against Dr Johnson K. Varghese, a doctor at a private hospital in Kochi. The doctor had earlier lodged a complaint at Kadavanthra police station against the actress and others.

The latest case was registered based on a complaint filed by a 50-year-old woman from Tripunithura, who is a relative of one of the accused in the flat assault case.

According to the complaint, the incident took place on October 10 at around 7.30 pm. The doctor allegedly picked up the woman in his car from near a private hotel in Infopark and took her to a nearby bar. He allegedly made her incapacitated by giving her alcohol before taking her to a room in another hotel, where he sexually assaulted her. The complainant had previously received treatment from the doctor.

Following the registration of the case, police have launched a search for the doctor, who is reportedly absconding. The management of the private hospital has also removed him from service.

In his earlier complaint, the doctor alleged that actress Athulya had called him to a flat on the pretext that the 50-year-old woman was unwell and needed medical attention. He claimed that actor Bibin Perumbilly and others had detained and assaulted him at the apartment. He also alleged that they demanded Rs 3 crore from him to prevent the sexual assault of the woman from becoming public.

Based on his complaint, Kadavanthra police registered a case and arrested three people, including the actress. Athulya, however, maintained that the doctor had voluntarily come to the apartment in Ponnurunni to settle the sexual assault case and that no money had been demanded from him. Kadavanthra police, meanwhile, maintained that the actress had indeed called the doctor to the flat.

Assault at flat: Search on for accomplices

Kadavanthra police have launched a search for the remaining accused in the case involving the alleged assault, death threats and robbery of the doctor at the flat. Five more accused are yet to be arrested, and their mobile phones are reportedly switched off.

The stolen belongings, including the doctor's mobile phone, are believed to be in the possession of the absconding accused. The value of the items allegedly stolen from him is estimated at Rs 3.5 lakh.

Actress and model Athulya Chandra, actor Bibin Perumbilly and his assistant Vishnu are currently in judicial custody in connection with the case. Police are expected to take them into custody for further interrogation.

The investigation team, with the assistance of the cyber cell, is examining digital evidence, phone conversations and videos collected in connection with both cases. Kadavanthra police are coordinating the investigation with Infopark police.