Sexual assault allegation and honey-trap angle; Athulya and gang demanded six crore rupees

KOCHI: Police said it was actress Athulya Chandra who orchestrated the brutal assault on a 41-year-old doctor in Ponnurunni. The conflict stemmed from the doctor's friendship with a relative of Athulya. Indications suggest that the doctor allegedly abused this relative while Athulya, Bibin Perumpilly, and their associates demanded six crore rupees from him to keep the matter a secret.

When the doctor refused, citing the high amount, the gang threatened to release his private visuals and chat logs. Upon his refusal to yield to this demand, they assaulted him. Following this, the doctor filed a complaint with the police. The police will record the statement of a relative of Athulya in connection with the incident and will also conduct a detailed investigation to determine whether this was a 'honey trap'.

Three individuals, including actress and lawyer Athulya Chandra (32), have been arrested in connection with the incident so far. The other arrested suspects are actor and executive producer B. Bibin Perumpilly (Bibin Baby, 42) and KB Vishnu (31). The police intensified the search for nine other suspects who are currently in hiding.

The victim is a 41-year-old doctor who practices at a private hospital in Kochi. The incident took place on Monday at 6:30 PM at the ‘Essen Springdale apartment complex, located on Junior Janata Road in Ponnurunni. This apartment had been rented by a prominent young actor to accommodate employees of his production company.

The doctor, a native of Kureekad, arrived at the apartment after Athulya informed him that a close relative’s illness had worsened. However, no such relative was present. Instead, the accused—who were waiting at various spots—surrounded and attacked the doctor. A few days earlier, the relative had confided in Athulya that the doctor had attempted to sexually assault her. According to the police, Athulya then devised a plan with her friends to entrap the doctor.

After roughing up the doctor, the accused released him at 10:30 PM. An agreement was reached for the doctor to pay an initial instalment of 25 lakh rupees on Tuesday. However, the doctor—who sought medical treatment at a private hospital in Kalamassery—lodged a complaint with the Kadavanthra Police Station. The complaint further alleged that the accused stole two mobile phones (worth 3 lakh rupees), a smartwatch, and a pair of earpads.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Athulya Chandra has worked as a junior to a prominent criminal lawyer in Kochi. She has acted in Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil films and resides at the Hill Palace Ansal City apartments.