Witnesses including Manju Warrier can be re-examined, says SC; setback for Dileep

NEW DELHI: There is a setback for Dileep in the actor assault case. The Supreme Court said other witnesses including Manju Warrier can be re-examined. The court directed that the prosecution can continue re-examining them.

Dileep, the accused in the case, had earlier filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, objecting re-examination of Manju. However, the Supreme Court directed that the re-examination of the witnesses proposed by the prosecution may continue, and clarified that the process should be completed quickly and that it is not interfering with the decision of the prosecution in this matter.

In the affidavit, Dileep alleged that Manju Warrier should not be re-examined and the reasons given by the prosecution for it are false. However, the government in their affidavit justified the re-examination of four witnesses in the case, including Manju Warrier. The prosecution informed the court that Manju and three other witnesses are re-examined to prove the destruction of digital evidence and voice recordings. The government also argued in the court that Dileep was trying to prevent the prosecution from producing evidence against him.

Meantime, the survivor said there should not be a situation where Dileep decides which all witnesses should be re-examined in the case. Senior lawyer R Basant who appeared for the survivor demanded this in the Supreme Court. He also said that there should not be a situation where the accused decide which witnesses to be re-examined because of the delay in the trial.