Kalabhavan ManiKochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe into the death of noted actor Kalabhavan Mani.
The HC asked the central probe agency to begin the investigation within a month. The court passed the order while considering a plea by Mani's wife Nimmy and brother R.L.V. Ramakrishnan.
The CBI had earlier stated that it would not take over the probe citing medical reports that claimed Mani died due to liver ailments. The agency also cited the numerous cases under its disposal as a reason for not taking up the murder probe.
The 45-year-old actor, who had essayed various roles in south Indian films, was found in a serious condition at his farmhouse at Chalakudy and though he was rushed to hospital, his life could not be saved.
The actor died on March 6, 2016, in a hospital in Kochi where he was admitted with haematemesis (vomiting of blood).
While a lab at Kochi had found traces of chlorpyrifos, a toxic pesticide in his viscera sample, a Hyderabad lab had stated that traces of methyl alcohol were found in his blood. But the police could not find any substantial evidence to support the allegations of foul play.
