Kochu, 06 Nov (H.S.): Malayalam actress Athulya Chandra allegedly masterminded a plot to extort ₹6 crore from a prominent Kochi-based doctor by threatening to release his private photographs and videos, police said. Investigators suspect that the incident, which involved assault and robbery, could be a honey-trap operation.

According to police, the 41-year-old doctor, employed at a leading hospital in Kochi, was targeted following a dispute over his relationship with a close relative of the actress.

Investigators said Athulya allegedly discovered photographs of private moments involving the doctor and her relative on the latter’s mobile phone. She subsequently joined hands with actor Bipin Perumbally to devise an extortion plan.

The accused allegedly demanded ₹6 crore from the doctor to settle the dispute and threatened to make his private conversations and intimate images public if he refused.

As part of the alleged conspiracy, the doctor was summoned to an apartment at Ponnurunni on Monday evening on the pretext that Athulya’s relative required urgent medical attention.

Police said the apartment had been rented by a prominent Malayalam film production company for its employees.

When the doctor arrived around 6.30 p.m., he allegedly found 12 people waiting inside. After he refused to pay the demanded amount, Bipin and his associates allegedly assaulted him.

The accused also reportedly seized two mobile phones worth approximately ₹3 lakh and a smartwatch.

The doctor approached police two days after the incident.

Meanwhile, police apprehended Vishnu, an associate of Bipin Perumbally, who is reportedly involved in eight criminal cases, including assault.

Investigators have identified 12 accused, including a gym trainer allegedly involved in taking the doctor’s belongings.

Police are expected to record the statement of Athulya’s relative as part of their investigation.

Athulya gained recognition through Dies Irae and has appeared in films including Ganagandharvan, Uyir and Kattalan.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman