Cyber forensic expert Sai Sankar, who is accused of helping actor Dileep in deleting digital evidence in the conspiracy to murder case, has been charged for a cheating and embezzlement case.
A complaint was filed by Minhaj from Kozhikode at Nadakkavu police station in September 2020. However, a case was not registered at the time as he couldn’t provide sufficient information.
According to complainant, Sankar had embezzled Rs 45 lakh after promising to deliver electronic goods for cheap prices. The cyber expert had told Minhaj that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) auctions confiscated goods and that he could get them for cheaper rates. Minhaj’s complaint further states that he had cheated at least three others in a similar manner. It may be noted that the incident happened between 2019 and 2020.
Dileep and his associates have been accused of allegedly plotting to kill police officers investigating the 2017 female actor abduction and assault case. As part of the probe in the case, the forensic department is scrutinising phones submitted by the accused to the Kerala high court registry.
Recently, forensic experts identified that a particular laptop that was used to delete evidence, belonged to an accused in a cheating case. Further investigation revealed that Sankar was involved in the deletion of data and his laptop was also seized by the police. On Saturday, Sankar’s wife was questioned by the crime branch, as the laptop used by Sankar was in her name.
It was discovered that Sankar had rented rooms from January 29 to 31 at two luxury hotels in Kochi, where he had wiped data from the phones currently under scrutiny. He had also reportedly visited the residence of Dileep’s lawyer, accessing Wi-Fi from there as well as the hotels. Data such as WhatsApp calls, chats, phone calls and personal information are said to have been reportedly erased from the phone.
Recommended
Though Sankar was summoned for interrogation, he did not appear citing Covid-19 symptoms and had sought permission to come in person, after 10 days. Meanwhile, Kerala police have been on the lookout for him, after gathering intel that he is in Ernakulam, while his family was unaware of his Covid-19 claims.
Sankar had earlier filed a petition at Kerala High Court stating that the crime branch officials had harassed him into giving a statement against Dileep. In response, the court strictly directed officials of the crime branch to not summon Sankar for questioning without prior notice.