SC refuses to extend time to complete trial in Kerala actor assault case against Dileep
India Today
The Supreme Court rejected plea by the Kerala government seeking more time to complete trial in actor assault case against Dileep. The state had asked for orders to extend the time period by six more months.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea by the Kerala government seeking more time to complete trial in the actor assault case against Dileep.
The state had asked for orders to extend the time period by six more 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.
READ | Is Kerala actor assault case unraveling Dileep's hero image?
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.
Dileep had earlier approached the Supreme Court demanding 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.
