(This article is authored by Alar)

In a startling revelation, P N Unnirajan IPS, a key member of the investigating team, has shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of acclaimed actor Kalabhavan Mani, who passed away in March 2016. The actor was found unconscious near his home in Paadi, and subsequent investigations revealed traces of poison in his body.

Unnirajan IPS, in an interview with the media, disclosed crucial details from the investigation, addressing the lingering questions that have shrouded Mani's death in mystery. The IPS officer emphasized the presence of methyl alcohol in Mani's blood, a substance commonly found in paint removers and surgical spirits.

Quoting Unnirajan IPS, "If the content of methyl alcohol is more than 30 mg per 100 ml of blood, it is dangerous. Many things are added when arrack is brewed, and it may sometimes contain the presence of methyl alcohol. There were also traces of pesticides in Mani’s blood, prompting us to investigate how both substances entered his bloodstream."

The investigation delved into Mani's habits, including his diet and alcohol consumption. It was revealed that Mani, a chronic diabetic patient, consumed a significant amount of beer daily, refraining from meat or arrack on the day of the incident. The IPS officer raised the possibility of pesticides entering Mani's system through the consumption of raw vegetables, as he was known to include them in his diet.

Unnirajan IPS noted, 'There is a tablet he uses for diabetes, which was prescribed by the doctor much before. One specification was that alcohol shouldn’t be taken with this tablet. By doing so, there will be a chemical reaction between them that will have harmful effects on the body. This tablet is taken in the morning and in the evening. That day morning, he had taken the tablet.' The investigation highlighted Mani's neglect of his health issues.

The medical board in Thiruvananthapuram further examined the beer consumed by Mani, revealing a small amount of methyl alcohol. The officer explained, "Although beer contains only a small amount of methyl alcohol, the higher the consumption, the higher the methyl alcohol content in the body."

Kalabhavan Mani, known for his versatile roles in films such as Anniyan, Aaru, Mazhai, Enthiran, Vel, and the critically acclaimed Papanasam, left a lasting impact on the Indian film industry. The investigation into his untimely demise has brought forth a complex narrative, raising questions about the actor's tragic end.