Nod for CBI probe into actor Kalabhavan Mani’s death

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 12: The State government has given consent for a CBI inquiry into the death of actor Kalabhavan Mani.

The decision comes in the wake of Mani’s brother, R.L.V. Ramakrishnan, meeting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in private last week.

A night of carousing in his farmhouse had ended in tragedy. He was hospitalised in an unconscious state and died later on March 6, 2016. The police had registered a case of unnatural death. But, they failed to clear the mystery surrounding the actor’s “sudden and fatal” hospitalisation.

Forensic chemical analysis of Mani’s internal organs had indicated the presence of pesticide, spawning several conspiracy theories. The chance discovery of a pesticide bottle near the party venue further added to the murkiness that surrounded his death. However, the jury was still out on whether the substance was in sufficiently fatal level to cause death.

Mani’s family had dismissed suggestions that the actor was long ailing and had resolved to end his life in his own terms by resorting to heavy drinking and wild partying. There was also speculation that Mani was “poisoned” by some associates who owed him money.

Two popular television personalities, who visited Mani at his farmhouse, had come under unfavourable media glare, with the actor’s relatives casting aspersions on their “suspicious late night visit”. They were subsequently questioned by the police and let off.

The CBI would have to solve the “riddle” whether Mani’s death was a homicide, a suicide or a natural one. If it was a crime, the agency would have to zero in on the motive. The inquiry would focus on Mani’s family, profession, his medical history and personal journals, if any.

Mani had endured daily deprivations faced by the poor and downtrodden to rise to wealth and stardom in the film industry. An auto driver-turned-mimicry artist and folk singer, Mani’s art resonated strongly with the common man.

No political party could ignore his popularity and all had demanded a CBI probe into his death.