Senior Malayalam film actor and producer Maniyanpilla Raju has admitted to being behind the wheel of a luxury car that struck a motorcycle and fled the scene late Thursday night (February 5). The incident, which occurred near the Trivandrum Club in Vazhuthacaud in Thiruvananthapuram, left two young men with serious injuries.
The accident took place at approximately 10:00 pm on Thursday, as the actor’s Volvo was exiting the Trivandrum Club. According to police, the car collided with a motorcycle carrying two youths, identified as Nivedith Krishna and Suraj.
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Rather than stopping to assist, the vehicle reportedly left the scene immediately. Police later recovered a dislodged number plate (KL 01 CJ 04) at the site, which helped investigators trace the vehicle to Sudhir Kumar Raju, the actor's legal name.
The two riders sustained significant injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at private hospitals in the city. Reports indicate that Nivedith Krishna suffered multiple fractures to his legs, while Suraj sustained a serious spinal injury.
Following the hit-and-run, Thiruvananthapuram Police visited the actor's residence twice during the night but found the premises locked and his mobile phone switched off.
Breaking his silence on Friday morning, Maniyanpilla Raju confirmed he was the driver at the time of the crash. He claimed the motorcycle had hit the rear of his car while he was returning home from a function at Subramaniam Hall.