Chalakkudy (Kerala) Aug 24 (IANS): Even as the Kerala government sought a CBI probe into the death of actor Kalabhavan Mani, a court here has asked six of his close aides to undergo a lie detector test.

Mani died at a hospital in Kochi on March 6. The cause of his death has not been ascertained so far.

The new development came after Mani's close relatives expressed doubts over his close aides who always accompanied the actor.

The Chalakkudy police had submitted a request to the Chief Magistrate's Court, following which the court called up the six aides, who have agreed to undergo the test.

Mani, 45, who acted in 200 films in Malayalam and other languages, was admitted to a hospital in Kochi on March 4. He was apparently suffering from a liver ailment.

The police probe team were unable to crack the case even as forensic experts said an insecticide (Chlorpyrifos) was found in the actor's body.

Mani was staying at a 30-acre farmhouse near Chalakkudy, away from his home where his wife and daughter reside.

After his death, hospital authorities reported the presence of the chemical in his body, leading to speculation that he might not have died a natural death.