Big relief for Malayalam actor Maniyanpilla Raju as blood test results rule out drunken driving in hit-and-run case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a relief to actor Maniyanpilla Raju, police on Sunday said blood test results showed he was not under the influence of alcohol in connection with a hit-and-run case.The incident took place on February 5 in Thiruvananthapuram, when a car allegedly driven by Raju hit a two-wheeler and left the scene without assisting the two injured youths.Police said Raju’s blood sample was collected on February 6 and sent for analysis. Officials at the Museum Police Station said the report, received last week, did not indicate that he was driving under the influence of alcohol.According to police, Raju was arrested soon after the incident and later released on bail.With the test results now available, police said a chargesheet will be filed soon.Following the accident, Raju told reporters that he panicked and returned home.The case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act, including charges of negligent driving, endangering human life, and leaving accident victims unattended.(With agency inputs)