Kerala crime branch officials launched a raid at actor Dileep‘s residence ‘Padmasarovaram’ in Aluva on Thursday at around 12 pm, according to The News Minute. The crime branch team launched search operations, after obtaining permission from the Aluva Magistrate court. Dileep is the eighth accused and the alleged mastermind behind the female actor abduction and sexual assault that happened in February 2017.
It may be noted that the raid was launched a day after the police recorded filmmaker Balachandra Kumar’s statement, concerning the new FIR filed against Dileep for allegedly conspiring to kill policemen probing the assault case.
According to the TNM report, a 20-member team, led by the Superintendent of Police Mohanachandran, conducted the raid at Dileep’s house. The police are also probing to check if Dileep has any visual evidence of the sexual assault inflicted upon the female actor.
A Mathrubhumi report states that Dileep’s house was found locked and the police team had to climb over the gate to enter the premises. After an hour, a relative of the actor reached the spot and unlocked the house for the police to inspect and search it. Additionally, Dileep’s production company’s office and his brother Anoop’s house are also being raided.
Filmmaker Kumar recently released audio clips where the accused actor was allegedly heard planning to kill the investigation officers. The audio clips were aired on the Reporters Live news channel, after which a case was registered, eventually leading up to the raid.
Meanwhile, Dileep has appealed to the Kerala high court seeking anticipatory bail in the new FIR. Dileep’s plea notes that the new case is a “mockery” and the registration of the FIR directly by the Crime Branch, is nothing but “a vindictive and retaliatory act” of Deputy Superintendent of Police Baiju Poulose, Crime Branch.
On Tuesday, when his bail plea came up for hearing, Dileep’s counsel informed the court that senior advocate B Raman Pillai who was supposed to lead the case was unwell. Hence, as per request, Justice Gopinath P postponed the hearing to Friday.
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Update: After almost eight hours of searching, mobile phones and computer hard disks were seized from Dileep’s residence, as per The New Indian Express. However, though Balachandra Kumar had told the Crime Branch that Dileep possessed a pistol without a licence, no pistol was found at the actor’s house. The raid was primarily launched to find this weapon. According to the report, Crime Branch ADGP S Sreejith said that the interrogation in the case related to the conspiracy to harm police officers will be completed without delay.
For a full timeline of the female actor abduction and assault case, see here.