Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 6 (UNI) A hit-and-run case has been registered after a car registered in the name of senior Malayalam film actor Maniyanpilla Raju was involved in an accident that left two youths seriously injured in the state capital on Thursday night.
The accident occurred at around 9.30 pm on Thursday near Trivandrum Club at Vazhuthacaud, when a car bearing registration number KL-01-CJ-0004 allegedly hit a Royal Enfield motorcycle travelling on the same road.
The car reportedly fled the scene without stopping or offering assistance to the injured.
The motorcycle riders have been identified as Sooraj and Nidev, both natives of Thiruvananthapuram. Sooraj sustained fractures to his left leg and shoulder, while Nidev suffered head injuries and fractures to his leg. Both were immediately shifted to a private hospital in the city, where they are undergoing treatment.
According to police, the vehicle was being driven in a rash and negligent manner, endangering human life. A number plate that fell off the car at the accident site enabled investigators to trace the vehicle involved in the incident.
Police confirmed that the car is registered in the name of Sudheer Kumar Raju, the real name of actor Maniyanpilla Raju. Initial uncertainty prevailed over who was driving the car at the time of the accident. However, the actor later reportedly informed police that he himself was driving the vehicle when the mishap occurred.
As part of the investigation, police teams visited the actor’s residence on two occasions to trace him and the vehicle, but were unable to locate either during the initial attempts. Attempts to contact him over the phone were also unsuccessful, as his mobile phone was reportedly switched off.
A case has been registered at the Museum Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash driving and failure to report the accident, along with Sections 134(A) and 134(B) of the Motor Vehicles Act, which deal with failure to provide medical aid and fleeing the scene after an accident.
Police said further investigation is under way, including verification of statements, examination of CCTV footage from the area, and inspection of the vehicle involved.
