Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly was found not guilty in a rape case registered against him following a complaint filed by a woman | Photo credit: RK Nithin
The Kerala Police said on Wednesday (November 6, 2024) that the Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly was found not guilty in a rape case registered against him following a complaint filed by a woman.
The actor was accused of sexually assaulting the woman over a year ago in Dubai.
During the investigation, it was found that Mr. Pauly was not present at the location on the specific date and time claimed by the woman, police said.
The deputy SP investigating the case recently submitted a report to a local court excluding the actor’s name from the list of suspects.
The development entered the public domain on Wednesday (November 6, 2024).
A senior officer said investigators have verified several documents and found that they do not match the complainant’s statements.
“We have verified his emigration details, passport and other travel documents, credit card transactions and so on. But the documents did not match the complainant’s claims. There was no evidence that the actor was present at the location as claimed. by her,” the officer said.
“However, investigations would continue against other suspects,” the officer added.
The “Thattathin marayath” actor had been arrested by the Oonnukal police in September under Section 376 of the IPC.
“The first suspect was a female and Mr. Pauly was the sixth suspect,” the officer said.
The actor had strongly denied the allegations and said he suspected a conspiracy behind the allegations. Mr. Pauly is one of many actors and directors facing allegations of sexual harassment or rape by female actors following the recent publication of the Report of the Justice Committee K. Hema.
The committee was set up by the Kerala government after the sexual assault of actresses in 2017 and the report reveals cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.
Following the allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the formation of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them.
Published – Nov 6, 2024 6:57 PM IST