Booked for rape, actor terms claims 'fake'

THE Malayalam film industry suffered a fresh jolt on Tuesday after actor Nivin Pauly was named as one of the accused in a rape case registered on the complaint of a woman from Oonnukal in Ernakulam's Kothamangalam.

Following news reports of an FIR against him, Nivin, in a hurriedly-convened press conference in Kochi at night, termed the allegation fake and said he did not know the complainant. He also said he would go to any length to prove his innocence.

"This is a fake allegation. I don't know this woman and have never seen her. I am ready to face the investigation and will cooperate with the investigation team to prove my innocence," Nivin said.

The complainant, a resident of Oonnukal, has alleged that she was raped last year in Dubai on the pretext of being offered a role in a film.