A prominent Malayalam actor, Maniyanpilla Raju, finds himself at the center of a storm following a late-night hit-and-run incident that left two young men seriously injured. While the actor claims he "panicked" and has a history of cancer, his prolonged absence from the police station and subsequent release on bail have ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many questioning whether celebrity status afforded him preferential treatment. Was this a genuine case of fear, or a calculated maneuver to minimize consequences? The questions are many, and the answers are far from clear.
The incident, which occurred around 10 p.m. on Thursday near the esteemed Trivandrum Club in Vazhuthacaud, involved Maniyanpilla Raju's car allegedly colliding with a Royal Enfield motorcycle carrying two individuals, Sooraj and Nidev. The immediate aftermath saw the actor seemingly vanish, remaining unreachable for nearly 10 hours. This period of absence, coupled with the severe injuries sustained by the victims, has fueled public anger and suspicion.
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The Night of the Collision: A Sequence of Events
The timeline of events, pieced together from initial reports, paints a concerning picture:
Thursday, ~10:00 PM: The alleged collision occurs as Maniyanpilla Raju was leaving the Trivandrum Club.
Thursday Night: The two injured youths, Sooraj and Nidev, are hospitalized with serious injuries. Maniyanpilla Raju is reportedly unreachable, his mobile phone switched off.
Friday Morning (~9:30 AM): Nearly 12 hours after the incident, Maniyanpilla Raju appears at the Museum police station.
Friday Morning: The actor is formally arrested, undergoes a medical examination at the General Hospital, and is subsequently released on station bail.
Friday Morning: Maniyanpilla Raju addresses the media, stating he "panicked" and returned home due to feeling unwell, also mentioning he is a cancer patient. He claims the motorcycle "rammed into his car."
Conflicting Narratives and Lingering Doubts
The actor's account of events immediately clashes with the police's initial findings and the gravity of the injuries sustained by the victims. While Maniyanpilla Raju asserts that he was the one impacted and panicked, police reports suggest his vehicle collided with the motorcycle. Furthermore, the claim that he informed the police of his intention to surrender the next morning due to his health condition is being met with skepticism, especially since the police stated they were unable to contact him on Thursday night.
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"I panicked after the bike hit my car," Maniyanpilla Raju reportedly told reporters, adding that he returned home as he was unwell and is a cancer patient. He also claimed that the motorcycle had rammed into his car. (Source: The Hindu, Mathrubhumi)
However, official statements from the police, including posts on X (formerly Twitter), confirm that Maniyanpilla Raju's car allegedly collided with the motorcycle, and he fled the scene. This stark divergence raises critical questions:
Why the prolonged absence? If Maniyanpilla Raju genuinely panicked, why did he not seek immediate medical attention for himself or the injured parties? Why did he remain unreachable for 10 hours?
Was he truly unwell? While his cancer history is acknowledged, could this have been an excuse to delay reporting and potentially mitigate the situation?
Who initiated the collision? The conflicting statements about the cause of the accident demand a thorough and impartial investigation. Did the motorcycle hit his car, or did his car hit the motorcycle?
Was the vehicle surrendered promptly? Reports indicate the actor surrendered his vehicle to the police, but the timing of this action in relation to his surrender remains unclear.
The Specter of Preferential Treatment
The most explosive element of this unfolding drama is the widespread allegation of preferential treatment. The fact that Maniyanpilla Raju was released on station bail shortly after his arrest has not gone unnoticed, particularly when compared to the treatment meted out to ordinary citizens in similar situations.
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Immediate Release: Unlike many cases where individuals are held for extended periods pending investigation, Maniyanpilla Raju was bailed out relatively quickly after a medical examination.
Criticism of Police Action: The City Police have faced significant criticism over these allegations, with many perceiving the swift bail as a clear indication of leniency.
Legal Framework: The actor has been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act, facing charges for rash and negligent driving, failing to provide medical aid, and failing to report the accident. Yet, the immediate release raises questions about the enforcement of these laws when celebrities are involved.
"Meanwhile, the City Police have come under criticism over allegations of preferential treatment extended to the actor." (Source: The Hindu)
This disparity fuels a dangerous perception that justice is not blind when it comes to the influential. It begs the question: would a common man involved in a similar hit-and-run, leaving two people seriously injured, have received the same immediate bail?
A Pattern of Celebrity Immunity?
This incident, unfortunately, taps into a broader societal concern about whether celebrities often receive a pass for actions that would have severe repercussions for the average citizen. While Maniyanpilla Raju is a veteran actor with a long career, his alleged actions have put him in the same league as countless individuals who have faced the full force of the law for traffic violations and accidents.
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| Actor's Claims | Police Reports/Victim's Perspective (Implied) | Key Question |
|---|---|---|
| Panicked, returned home due to illness | Fled the scene, leaving injured victims | Why not seek immediate help for injured? |
| Motorcycle rammed his car | His car collided with the motorcycle | What is the objective evidence of the collision's cause? |
| Informed police of intent to surrender | Unable to contact actor; appeared 10 hours later | Was communication attempted effectively? Why the delay? |
| Not under the influence of alcohol | Not explicitly stated; focus on hit-and-run | Will toxicology reports be made public? |
| Cancer patient status cited as reason | Irrelevant to the act of fleeing | Is health condition being used to mitigate responsibility? |
The fact that he is a cancer survivor, as he himself highlighted, while a personal tragedy, cannot serve as a blanket excuse for alleged criminal negligence that endangers lives. Is his medical condition being used as a shield to deflect accountability, or is it a genuine factor that contributed to his panic and subsequent actions?
The Road Ahead: Accountability and Transparency
The investigation into this hit-and-run case must proceed with absolute impartiality and transparency. The public deserves to know that the law applies equally to everyone, regardless of their fame or social standing.
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Thorough Investigation: The police must meticulously examine all evidence, including witness testimonies, CCTV footage (if available), and the damage to both vehicles, to establish the sequence of events and the cause of the accident.
Accountability for Delay: The 10-hour window of unavailability and the subsequent surrender at the station need to be rigorously scrutinized. What measures were taken by the police to locate the actor during this period?
Fair Legal Process: While Maniyanpilla Raju has been released on bail, the legal proceedings must continue without prejudice. The victims, Sooraj and Nidev, deserve justice and compensation for their injuries.
Police Conduct Review: The allegations of preferential treatment must be addressed by the authorities. An internal review or an independent inquiry may be necessary to ensure public trust in the police force.
This incident serves as a critical juncture. It is an opportunity to reaffirm the principle that no one is above the law. The actions taken by the authorities in the coming days will speak volumes about their commitment to justice and their ability to resist undue influence. The question remains: will this be a case where celebrity status dictates the outcome, or will justice prevail for the injured victims? The public is watching, and the demand for accountability is deafening.
Sources:
The Hindu: Kerala actor Maniyanpilla Raju arrested in hit-and-run case; let off on station bail.
Link: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-actor-maniyanpilla-raju-arrested-in-hit-and-run-case-let-off-on-station-bail/article70599069.ece
Mathrubhumi: Actor Maniyanpilla Raju arrested in hit-and-run case in TVM.
Link: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/breaking-actor-maniyanpilla-raju-arrested-in-hit-and-run-case-in-tvm-kg7sneud
Onmanorama: ‘Panicked after bike hit my car,’ says Maniyanpilla Raju; arrest recorded in hit-and-run case.
Link: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/02/06/maniyanpilla-raju-arrested-hit-run-thiruvananthapuram.html
Timesnownews: Malayalam Veteran Actor Maniyanpilla Raju Arrested For Rash Driving In Hit-And-Run Case.
Link: https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/malayalam/malayalam-veteran-actor-maniyanpilla-raju-arrested-for-rash-driving-in-hit-and-run-case-article-153568845
Financial Express: Veteran Malayalam actor Maniyanpilla Raju arrested after hit-and-run leaves two seriously injured.
Link: https://www.financialexpress.com/life/entertainment-veteran-malayalam-actor-maniyanpilla-raju-arrested-after-hit-and-run-leaves-two-seriously-injured-4133241/
Indian Express: Malayalam actor Maniyanpilla Raju accused in hit-and-run, two men on bike injured: ‘I panicked and returned home’.
Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/malayalam-actor-maniyanpilla-raju-accused-in-hit-and-run-two-men-on-bike-injured-i-panicked-and-returned-home-10516652/
NDTV: Video: Malayalam Actor Speeds Away After Biker Falls In Crash With His Car.
Link: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/malayalam-actor-maniyanpilla-raju-involved-in-hit-and-run-2-injured-10956354
Republic World: Malayalam Actor Maniyanpilla Raju Arrested In Road Accident Case, Two Youths Sustain Injuries.
Link: https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment/malayalam-cinema/malayalam-actor-maniyanpilla-raju-arrested-in-road-accident-case-two-youths-sustain-injuries
Economic Times: Maniyanpilla Raju hit and run case: What led to the surrender of Malayalam veteran actor?
Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/maniyanpilla-raju-hit-and-run-case-what-led-to-the-surrender-of-malayalams-veteran-actor/articleshow/127972628.cms
Lokmat Times: Maniyanpilla Raju Arrested: Malayalam Actor Arrested in Hit-and-Run Case in Thiruvananthapuram.
Link: https://www.lokmattimes.com/entertainment/maniyanpilla-raju-arrested-malayalam-actor-arrested-in-hit-and-run-case-in-thiruvananthapuram-a517/
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