A Malayalam actor who was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted in a moving car five years ago met Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday to ensure the police did not prematurely end the investigation.

The 10-minute meeting at the chief minister’s office ended with an assurance that the government would make sure the investigation continued until every angle had been probed and all those responsible brought to justice.

Although the police filed a chargesheet in the case within the prescribed timetable, the investigation was extended because of new angles emerging.

But sources in the police’s crime branch recently said they would wind up the investigations on May 31, with a key witness and three defence lawyers suspected of influencing witnesses to turn hostile yet to be questioned.

The actor had recently petitioned Kerala High Court against any such move, accusing the state government of abdicating its constitutional obligation to complete the investigation in a free and fair manner.

The petition’s criticism of the government, coming ahead of the May 31 Assembly by-election for the key Thrikkakara seat, prompted CPM leaders to question her “real intent” and the timing of her court plea.

Vijayan, though, on Wednesday told an election rally that his government was committed to women’s safety and had taken care to ensure justice was served in the actor’s case.

The actor expressed satisfaction at the outcome of her meeting with the chief minister.

“I am fully satisfied with the meeting and have been able to convey everything (to Vijayan). I have been assured that the government is with me in this case,” she told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.

She clarified she had only expressed her concern at the way the investigation was about to be concluded and did not accuse the government of foul play.

“I have never said anything against the government. I apologise if such a message has been conveyed (via her petition). Through that petition I had only shared some concerns I have,” she clarified.

The sexual assault of February 2017 was committed by a gang hired allegedly by actor Dileep. The police arrested several suspects, including Dileep, who spent 85 days in judicial custody before getting bail. Main accused N.S. Sunil and some others are still in judicial custody.

Last week, the crime branch had indicated it would conclude the investigation without questioning Dileep’s wife and actor Kavya Madhavan, whose name had cropped up during the probe, or three defence lawyers accused of influencing witnesses.

Leader of the Opposition and Congress member V.D. Satheesan has demanded an apology from CPM leaders who had “insulted” the actor and questioned her intent in approaching the high court.