4 held for blackmailing actor

TRIPUNITHURA: The Tripunithura police on Thursday arrested four persons who tried to  blackmail film actor Suraj Venjaramoodu. Radhakrishnan, 45, Chariyamparambil, Chengamanadu, Unni, 45, Thachuparambil Veedu, Chengamanadu, Ashok Kumar, 42, Kottarathuparambil, and Sunilkumar, 37, Charuyamparambil, were arrested by a police team led by Circle Inspector Arun Raj and Hill Palace Sub-Inspector P R Santhosh.On August 10 Suraj received a telephone call allegedly from Tripunithura. The caller introduced himself as Radhakrishnan and  demanded Rs 1 lakh from the actor to avoid his involvement in Paravoor sex scam case.The actor informed about the phone call to Crime Branch DySP Bijo Alexander who asked him to respond positively to further phone calls. As per the instruction, Suraj asked the person to meet him at the location of his film shoot.On Thursday morning,  Suraj told the caller the exact location of the film shoot. Radhakrishnan along with his three aids reached Kavalam near Nedumudi and the actor handed over Rs 1 lakh (marked by the police) to them.AN EXTRA SCENE IN ‘MERCHANT OF VENICE’The film was 'Venicile Vyapari' and the location was Kavalam, near Nedumudi. As actor Suraj Venjaramoodu, in full make up, faced the camera, the police team from Hill Palace Station comprising Madhu, Suresh, Jose and Hill Palace Sub-Inspector P R Santhosh  positioned as per the direction the Circle Inspector Arun Raj.When Radhakrishnan entered and called out Suraj, he gave them the pack of currency (marked by the police) worth Rs 1 lakh.As soon as Radhakrishnan along with his four aids came out of the location with the cash, the police arrested them.“This is an interesting turn in the ongoing investigation of the case,” police said.  The police are investigating the role of Radhakrishnan in the Paravoor case.