Kerala actor Maniyanpilla Raju arrested in hit-and-run case; let off on station bail

The Thiruvananthapuram City police on Friday (February 6, 2026) recorded the arrest of Malayalam film actor Maniyanpilla Raju in connection with a hit-and-run incident in which two youths were injured after his car knocked down their motorcycle late on Thursday night.

The arrest was formally recorded after Mr. Raju appeared at the Museum police station around 9.30 a.m., nearly 12 hours after the incident, which occurred as he was exiting Trivandrum Club in Vazhuthacaud in the city. He was later released on station bail following a medical examination at the General Hospital. The results of the examination are yet to be known.

According to the Museum police, the accident took place around 10 p.m. when the actor was purportedly leaving the club after attending a programme. The injured have been identified as Sooraj, 20, of Sreekandeswaram, and Nivedith Krishna, 20, of Sreevaraham.

A case has been registered under Sections 281 (rash driving) and 125(a) (endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 134(A) (failure to provide emergency medical assistance to the injured) and 134(B) (failure to report the accident to the nearest police station) of the Motor Vehicles Act.

CCTV footage recovered from the accident site reportedly shows the actor’s car cutting across the Vellayambalam-Vazhuthacaud road to enter the opposite lane towards Vellayambalam, even as several two-wheelers were passing. The visuals indicate that the vehicle knocked down the motorcycle and proceeded without stopping to check on the condition of the injured.

Youths sustain injuries

The two youths sustained serious leg and spinal injuries and were admitted to private hospitals, where they underwent emergency surgeries.

The actor’s car was damaged in the accident. The police recovered a detached number plate and damaged bumper parts from the spot. Upon verification, the vehicle was found to be registered in the name of Sudheer Kumar Raju, which was confirmed by the police as the actor’s real name.

Actor says he was ‘panicked’

Upon his arrival at the police station, Mr. Raju claimed that the motorcycle had hit his car and that he “panicked” after hearing the impact. He stated that he immediately called a friend at the club to inform about the incident, but admitted that leaving the scene without stopping was a mistake. He also said that he is “a cancer patient” and that he “had not consumed alcohol.”

The actor added that he had informed the police about the incident and assured them that he would appear at the police station the following day.

Although the actor failed to produce the vehicle, it was later recovered from near the Trivandrum Tennis Club.

Police face criticism

Meanwhile, the City Police have come under criticism over allegations of preferential treatment extended to the actor.

District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) K. Karthick has ordered a probe into alleged lapses by the local police unit.