On Monday, the Supreme Court refused to pass an order on the Kerala government’s plea, which requested an extension for completing the trial against Malayalam actor Dileep. He is one of the main accused, as it stands, in the 2017 female actor abduction and sexual assault case, as per a Live Law report.
During the hearing on Monday, the two-judge bench with AM Khanwilkar and CT Ravikumar, stated that an appropriate decision in the matter was to be taken by the respective trial court. The bench mentioned that the trial judge could submit a report before the Supreme Court, seeking extension if necessary, and added that it will not allow extension at the instance of the State.
Previously, the Supreme Court had set the deadline as February 16, 2022, for completing the trial in the case. However, earlier this month, the Kerala government made a plea to the Supreme Court, requesting an extension for six months. According to a report by Onmanorama, the extension plea was filed noting that further investigation is required, in the light of new revelations made by filmmaker Balachandra Kumar, against the actor. He had alleged that Dileep and his associates had watched a video of the sexual assault and had also conspired to kill the policemen investigating the case. His allegation and evidence led to a fresh probe, in the case.
Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta appeared for the state of Kerala and Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, represented actor Dileep, in the hearing. Opposing the state’s plea, Dileep’s counsel argued that the state was attempting to delay the trial in many ways and was conducting a “media trial” against the accused. Rohatgi added that the time for trial has already been extended four times and the State is playing a “mischievous game.”
Dileep’s counsel noted that after examining 200 witnesses, the filmmaker produced new allegations, when the trial was nearing its completion. However, when Gupta requested the bench that the State’s application be kept pending, the court refused it and said, “if the application is kept pending, it will give a different meaning.”
Meanwhile, the trial court at Ernakulam has allowed further investigation into the new allegations made by Kumar. Last week, the Kerala High Court allowed the prosecution to examine additional witnesses in the case.
Recommended
Additionally, as per the Kerala High Court’s order, Dileep and the other accused appeared before the crime branch on Monday, and were interrogated for 11 hours. The police officials also summoned Malayalam directors Rafi, Arun Gopi, and the manager of Dileep’s production house, Graand Productions for questioning. The three-day interrogation will be completed on Tuesday, following which, the court has ordered the prosecution to submit a sealed report on the interrogation, on Thursday.
For a full timeline of the female actor abduction and assault case, see here.