Kochi, Dec 13 (NationPress) Film Director P. Balachandrakumar, a significant witness in the notorious 2017 Kerala actress abduction incident, has died at a private hospital early Friday.

He had been battling serious kidney and heart issues.

His death occurs as the trial concerning the actress abduction case approaches its conclusion.

The case gained momentum when the widely recognized actor Dileep was interrogated and subsequently arrested in 2017. Dileep spent three months in custody before being granted bail.

Notably, it was the Director’s disclosures that instigated a significant shift in the case, complicating matters for Dileep. In 2021, Balachandrakumar provided a pivotal testimony against Dileep, accusing the actor of possessing footage of the assault and attempting to sway witnesses. He also asserted that Pulsar Suni, the principal accused, was seen at Dileep's home.

Despite his frequent hospital visits, Balachandrakumar consistently presented himself as a key witness in the trial.

His most recent appearance in court was on November 11, after which his health severely declined.

This week, he underwent heart surgery and sadly passed away while recuperating in a private hospital located in Alappuzha district.

The final rites will be conducted in the capital district of the state from which he originated.

The actress abduction incident unfolded in 2017 when she was attacked in a moving vehicle in Kochi. The primary accused, Pulsar Suni, recently received bail from the Supreme Court after spending seven years in prison. Suni had been employed as a driver on film sets since 2010.

According to the investigation, Suni was acquainted with Dileep, the eighth accused in the actress abduction case. Police findings indicate that Dileep and the victim had a tumultuous relationship, as he was upset with her for allegedly informing his ex-wife about his liaison with another actress.

The horrifying event transpired when Suni, accompanied by his close associates, abducted and sexually assaulted the actress while she was returning from a film shoot in Thrissur to Kochi on February 17, 2017.