Kochi actress and actor arrested after doctor attacked and robbed in alleged premeditated assault

Kochi police have arrested film actress Athulya Chandra and actor Bibin Perumpally on charges of assault, confinement and robbery after a 41-year-old doctor was taken to an apartment on the pretext of emergency medical care. The doctor, a resident of Kureekad in Ernakulam, filed a complaint alleging that he was accused of administering narcotics and sexually assaulting a woman’s aunt, then beaten, threatened and stripped of valuables worth about ₹3.25 lakh.

The Kadavanthra police registered a case naming twelve accused, with Perumpally listed as the first accused and Chandra as the third. The FIR cites non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including wrongful confinement, voluntarily causing hurt, obscene acts, criminal intimidation and robbery.

According to the complaint, the incident occurred between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on November 2 at a third-floor flat on Junior Janatha Road in Ponnurunni, Vyttila. Perumpally allegedly slapped the doctor, forced him into a chair and punched him repeatedly, while Chandra used abusive language and threatened his life. Two mobile phones, a smartwatch and a pair of EarPods were taken.

The doctor approached police two days later, reporting severe pain and fear for his safety. Investigating officers said the motive remains unclear and that the accused have offered differing versions of events. They have not ruled out a honey-trap scenario and confirmed that the alleged ailing woman was not found at the location.

Chandra, known for roles in films such as “Uyir,” “Dies Irae,” “Innale Vare” and “O Baby,” and Perumpally, who has appeared in “Lokah,” “Aashan” and “Kattalan,” were taken into custody on Thursday and will appear before a magistrate. Police indicated that leads have been obtained on the remaining suspects and that further arrests are possible. The stolen items have not yet been recovered.