I am not at fault, CCTV visuals prove my innocence: Maniyanpilla Raju

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Actor Maniyanpilla Raju has said that he was not at fault in the accident that occurred in front of the Trivandrum Club. He stated that CCTV visuals have made the truth clear to everyone.

Raju said he did not stop the car immediately after the accident because he was afraid. “I am a cancer patient. I am also suffering from chikungunya now. I was scared that people at the spot might damage my vehicle or attack me,” he said. He also added that he has not consumed alcohol since 2024.

According to him, he had gone to the club to present a trophy at a function. After the event, he waited for vehicles to pass before entering the road. “I turned on the indicator and was moving slowly when a bike came at high speed and hit the car,” he said.

Raju claimed that some visual media outlets blamed him unnecessarily. “There are cameras everywhere, so it won’t take long for the truth to come out,” he said.

He also said that he informed his friends at the Trivandrum Club about the accident and asked them to ensure that the injured youths received immediate medical help. They arranged an ambulance and shifted them to the hospital.

Raju said he also informed the police station soon after the accident. As there was no driver available to bring the vehicle immediately, the police told him he could bring it the next morning. “The vehicle I drove has never even hit a bicycle in my life. It is a relief that the youths were not seriously injured. If something worse had happened, my life would have been ruined,” he said. He added that he wishes to visit the injured persons and that the case should proceed legally without any compromise.

Car came at high speed and hit the bike, says injured youth

Meanwhile, the injured bike riders, Nidev and Sooraj, underwent surgery at private hospitals in the capital city. Nidev alleged that the car came at high speed and hit their bike.

He said they were on their way to collect an assignment and had gone to meet a friend staying in Vazhayila on another friend’s bike. “We saw the car’s headlights as it was entering the road and honked. When we came closer, the car suddenly moved forward and hit us. We were thrown off the bike,” he said.

Sooraj said the car dragged the bike for some distance. “We lay on the road for some time. Local people took us to the hospital,” he added. The injured youths said they would proceed with the case.