Kochi: A lawyer has been arrested on Thursday, in connection with a case involving an alleged attempt to extort money from renowned film actor and director Balachandra Menon, as well as for character assassination through media platforms.

The Kochi City Cyber Police on Thursday arrested Advocate Sangeeth Louis (46), originally from Kundara in Kollam district and currently residing in Ayyanthole, Thrissur. According to police, he had been absconding before being arrested from Ayyanthole

Sangeeth, who has been named as an accused in multiple previous cases, was taken into custody early in the morning based on a complaint filed at the Kochi City Cyber Crime Police Station.

Case linked to September incident

The case is linked to an incident that took place in September last year. It was alleged that Sangeeth, along with actress Minu Muneer, conspired to blackmail Balachandra Menon and extract money from him.

Minu Muneer, who has been identified as the first accused in the case, had already been arrested earlier by the Kochi City Cyber Crime Police.

Investigators stated that important digital evidence has been retrieved from the mobile phones of both accused. officials are continuing their probe to determine whether other people were involved in the extortion plot.

Prior offences

In 2023, the Kundara police had declared Sangeeth a rowdy under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) and had placed him under preventive detention.

The investigation into the extortion case continues, with police saying further arrests have not been ruled out.