Kochi: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected plea of the Kerala government seeking more time to complete trial in the actor assault case against Dileep. The state government has asked to extend the time period by six months. The deadline to conclude trial is February 16, 2022.
The case pertains to an incident in 2017 when a female actor was abducted and assaulted in Kochi. The police have arrested Pulsar Suni, the main accused in the case. Actor Dileep is alleged to have given contract to Suni to assault the actor. He is the eighth accused in the case.
In November 2019, the apex court had asked the trial court to conclude the trial “preferably within six months”. The timeline was extended due to Covid lockdown and on request of the trial court.
The SC has said that it would not extend time further on the request of the state, an extension could be given only if the trial judge seeks an extension.
As per India Today report, Dileep had earlier approached the Supreme Court and had demanded a quick trial in the actor assault case. The actor in his statement to the apex court said that as many as 202 witnesses have been examined so far and the demand for continued investigation is to delay the trial.
The Kerala police has filed a new FIR against Dileep for conspiring to harm the investigation officer after director Balachandrakumar gave statements alleging the same.
Yesterday, Actor Dileep and other accused appeared before the crime branch for interrogation. The Kerala High Court had ordered an interrogation in a case registered against him and five others for allegedly threatening officials probing the sexual assault of an actress in 2017. On Saturday, Kerala High Courted granted actor Dileep interim protection from arrest in the actor assault case, but directed him and other accused to appear before the investigating officers on January 23, 24 and 25 for interrogation.
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