Kochi court denies bail to actress and associates as police probe doctor’s alleged rape and blackmail

A magistrate court in Ernakulam denied bail to actress Bibin Perumpilly, actor and production executive, and K B Vishnu, who were arrested after alleging they assaulted Dr Johnson K Varghese at a flat in Ponnurunni. The court, acting on opposition from Kadavanthra Police, said the investigation was in a preliminary stage and custodial interrogation was required, noting that nine other suspects remain untraced.

According to police, Dr Varghese, a physician at a private Kochi hospital, filed a complaint that he was detained by a group of about 12 people on Nov. 2, threatened with a false rape accusation, and robbed of two high-end mobile phones, a watch and earphones. The same incident led to a counter-complaint by a relative of the actress, resulting in a rape case against the doctor. The complainant alleged that the doctor had given her alcohol at a hotel near Infopark and then sexually assaulted her in early October.

"The actress learned about the alleged assault through another relative. She and her associates subsequently summoned the doctor to the Ponnurunni flat to confront him and check his mobile phones for any private visuals of the survivor. The confrontation allegedly escalated into the assault reported by the doctor," a police officer said.

Examination of the phones seized from Dr Varghese revealed private videos of him in intimate situations with approximately 12 women. A senior police officer said investigators are assessing whether the recordings were used for blackmail or intimidation and that additional cases could be filed if more survivors come forward.

The probe also uncovered past harassment allegations at the doctor’s workplace, with a former female staff member reportedly resigning two years earlier due to his behavior, though no formal complaint was filed at the time.

Police questioned why Dr Varghese waited two days after the alleged assault to approach authorities, suggesting he may have acted after learning a formal rape complaint was being prepared. Kadavanthra Police plan to seek custody of the three accused for further interrogation, while Infopark Police have launched a manhunt for Dr Varghese, issuing a lookout circular to prevent his escape from the state or country.