Justice Kauser Edappagath also directed the investigative agencies to conclude their probe before 15 April.
Kerala high court dismisses actor Dileep's plea to suspend further investigation into sexual assault case
Mumbai - 09 Mar 2022 11:55 IST
Our Correspondent
The Kerala high court on Tuesday dismissed actor Dileep's petition to suspend all further investigation into the 2017 abduction and sexual assault of an actress, in which he is one of the accused. The bench, which comprised justice Kauser Edappagath, also directed the agencies concerned to conclude their investigations before 15 April 2022.
The actor and four others were granted anticipatory bail on 7 February in a case pertaining to the alleged conspiracy and attempt to murder police officers involved in the investigation.
While Dileep is being tried at the additional sessions court in Ernakulam, the Kerala crime branch took over the investigation into the alleged conspiracy to hinder the judicial process of the 2017 case in light of allegations by director Balachandra Kumar.
The filmmaker released several audio clips to show Dileep's involvement with one of the accused, Pulsar Suni, and their role in the abduction and sexual harassment of the actress in a moving vehicle. Following the revelation, the investigating officer requested the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Court on 3 January to permit further investigation into the new allegations. A new FIR was registered against the actor and five others.
The artiste then approached the Kerala high court, demanding that the probe be suspended, calling it a 'vindictive and retaliatory act'. The legal website BarandBench.com stated that the actor has also filed a separate plea in the high court to restrain the media from reporting on the trial. Dileep demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI.
On 15 February, the Kerala high court heard the survivor, who requested that the additional probe be allowed to bring the case to its conclusion. The court also heard Dileep and the five others involved in the case. After the hearings, the court reserved its judgment on the plea.
According to BarandBench.com, Dileep was represented by senior advocate B Raman Pillai and advocates Philip T Varghese, Thomas T Varghese, Achu Shubha Abraham, Litha VT, Monisha KR and Nitya R. The prosecution was led by senior advocate TA Shaji, the director general of prosecution.
