Dileep case: Kerala High Court grants police time till July 15 to complete probe into actress assault case

The Kerala High Court on Friday granted more time to the Crime Branch to complete further investigation into the 2017 actress assault case in which Malayalam cine actor Dileep is an accused [State of Kerala v P Gopalakrishnan alias Dileep]. .Justice Kauser Edappagath delivered the verdict today granting the Crime Branch time until July 15 to complete further investigation into the case."Considering the fact that the analysis of voluminous evidence collected during further investigation is yet to be completed, reports from FSL regarding the examination of voice samples and handwriting are yet to be received, some more witnesses have to be questioned, and also taking into account the entire facts and circumstances of the case, I am of the view that the prayer for extension of time has to be favourably considered to meet the ends of justice. However, further investigation cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely," the order stated. .On Wednesday, Justice Edappagath had heard the arguments by the prosecution, Dileep and by the survivor actress before reserving its judgment on the time extension petition..Senior Advocate B Raman Pillai, representing Dileep, had argued that the prosecution allegation that the video (of the sexual assault) was illegally accessed while in custody of the court, was another attempt to protract the trial and malign the judiciary"This has been spread in the media... They are trying to malign the judiciary," Pillai said.He argued that the State Police is not the competent authority to investigate any such allegation, rather, it is up to the vigilance wing of the High Court to look into it. Pillai also cited every instance of the prosecution seeking time extension before various fora. .Director General of Prosecution, Senior Advocate TA Shaji, at the outset stated that it was perplexing that Pillai made elaborate submissions on the merits of the case in general.He strongly opposed the allegation that the prosecution would attempt to malign the judiciary. "With all due respect to my senior friend, such irresponsible allegations may not be made. We only want an extension of time. That is all," Shaji submitted.He further pointed out that the change in the hash value of the video of the assault was only one of the grounds raised in the petition.Moreover, he submitted that the further investigation was allowed by the High Court on a petition moved by Dileep himself."Your lordship permitted further investigation on a petition filed by them(Dileep). We could have challenged the short time that was given but we also wanted to complete it as fast as possible even though the amount of material to be examined is huge," he said. .Finally, Advocate TB Mini, representing the survivor actress, emphasised that if the allegations of leaking of the video have even a tinge of truth to it, it must be investigated as it directly affects the life of the survivor."For the last five years, I am living in the dark. This is a society where victims are not accepted. In such a situation, leaking the visuals, even media reports say it's there is phones of many individuals, it affects me. I was in depression. Investigation is a must," Mini submitted..The survivor actress has also moved a separate plea before the court alleging foul play in the investigation into the assault case.Read more about that plea and the history of the assault case here..[Read Order]

Dileep case: Kerala High Court grants police time till July 15 to complete probe into actress assault case

Giti Pratap

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