Kochi: 7 friends of Mani undergo polygraph

Kochi: The CBI has completed polygraph tests on seven friends of Kalabhavan Mani as part of the probe into death of the actor and sent the collected data for detailed analysis at the Main Forensic Research Laboratory in Chennai.

The lie detection test was held on actors Jaffer Idukki and Sabumon, Mani's friends K.C. Murugan, Anilkumar, C.A. Arun, his relative M.G. Vipinsha and former manager Jobi Sebastian.

''An expert team from Chennai conducted the tests at the agency's Kathrikadavu office over the last two days. All the seven had expressed willingness to undergo the tests following a court order," said an official.

45-year-old Kalabhavan Mani was admitted to a private hospital in Kochi on March 4, 2016, for treatment of 'liver ailment'. However, he breathed his last two days later. A chemical test done at the hospital discovered presence of an organophosphate pesticide in his body.

His relatives alleged foul play and demanded a CBI probe. The actor had stayed in his farmhouse along with his friends prior to admitting to the hospital.

The state expressed its willingness for a CBI probe, as demanded by his relatives, and the High Court ordered to hand over probe to the central agency.