From The Indian Express · Shaju Philip · · 2m
Malayalam actors arrested for robbing doctor; rape case emerges
Two actors and a driver lured a doctor to a flat, assaulted and robbed him. Days later, a rape complaint against the doctor surfaced.
In brief
Two actors and a driver lured a doctor to a flat, assaulted and robbed him. Days later, a rape complaint against the doctor surfaced. Kochi police arrested Malayalam actors Athulya Chandra and Bibin Perumbally and a driver for allegedly luring and robbing a doctor; a rape case against the doctor then emerged from a…
Doctor lured to flat and robbed
Kochi police arrested Malayalam actors Athulya Chandra and Bibin Perumbally and driver K B Vishnu on Thursday for allegedly assaulting and robbing a 41-year-old doctor at a leading multispeciality hospital.
The fake emergency call
On the night of November 2, Athulya called the doctor claiming a close relative was unwell and needed urgent medical attention. The doctor, who knew Athulya, rushed to an apartment used by film industry members.
Tied to a chair and robbed
On reaching the flat, the doctor was tied to a chair, threatened and assaulted by the trio. They robbed him of digital devices worth Rs 3.25 lakh, police said in the FIR.
Doctor delayed reporting out of fear
The doctor lodged a complaint two days later, saying he had been afraid of the gang, which had allegedly threatened him with dire consequences if he disclosed the incident.
Police say it was planned extortion
Police sources said Athulya allegedly plotted the crime because she knew her relative was close to the doctor. She intended to extort money through blackmail and had accessed digital evidence of their relationship.
“Preliminary evidence suggests that this was not a robbery but a calculated extortion attempt, in which the doctor was allegedly lured before being assaulted and stripped of his valuables.”
Rape case filed against the doctor
On Friday, Athulya's relative, a woman in her early 50s, approached police alleging the doctor had sexually assaulted her in a hotel room last month. The doctor is yet to be arrested.
Athulya's film career and background
Athulya is a law graduate who practised at the Kerala High Court. She made her Malayalam film debut in 2019 with Ganagandharvan, directed by Ramesh Pisharody, now a Congress legislator.
Breakthrough role in Dies Irae
Her breakthrough came with the 2025 Malayalam film Dies Irae, in which she played Tessa alongside actor Pranav Mohanlal, son of superstar Mohanlal.
Arrest derails rising film career
The alleged involvement in the Kochi crime comes as Athulya was poised to take up several projects in the South Indian film industry. Bibin Perumbally has appeared in supporting roles for more than a decade.
The key point
Kochi police arrested Malayalam actors Athulya Chandra and Bibin Perumbally and a driver for allegedly luring and robbing a doctor; a rape case against the doctor then emerged from a relative of one accused.
