Kerala Police arrested popular Malayalam actor Unni Dev on Tuesday in connection with his wife Priyanka's suicide earlier this month. Son of late legendary actor Rajan P Dev, Unni was taken into custody by the Nedumangad police from his residence in Ernakulam district. The police arrested him as per protocol after he tested negative for COVID-19. Earlier, Priyanka was found dead at her house on May 12, after which the Vattappara Police registered a case of unnatural death. 

A day before her suicide, the 26-year-old had filed a complaint at the Vattappara police station stating that Unni was physically abusing her and also made a demand for a dowry. Priyanka's brother had also lodged a complaint later that his sister had undergone physical and mental abuse by Unni. As the interrogation was being carried out, Unni had tested COVID-19 positive after which the probe came to a halt midway. Unni and Priyanka tied the knot in 2019 after they fell in love with each other, with the beginning of their marriage said to be a happy one by many. 

According to family members, cracks were starting to become visible in Unni and Priyanka's relationship after sometime after which she decided to return to her home. However, it came as a massive shock when she committed suicide and was found dead inside her house. Priyanka's family has also claimed that Unni sold her jewels for his own needs and also got money transfered to his bank account on a regular basis from her mother. Unni, who is known for starring in films like Aadu, Idi, Inspector Dawood Ibrahim, Rakshadhikari Baiju, Mandharam, Janamaithri to name a notable few, was taken to Thiruvananthapuram and has been charged with abetment of suicide and dowry harassment.