Actress assault case: Dileep faces setback as HC orders probe into change of hash value of memory card

KOCHI: In a setback for actor Dileep, the High Court has ordered an investigation into the change in the hash value of the memory card containing the footage of the actress being assaulted. According to the High Court order, the District Sessions Judge should conduct the investigation and if necessary, seek the help of the police or other investigating agencies. The court has asked the investigation to be conducted within one month. The High Court ordered the investigation after accepting the plea of the survivor. The court has also clarified that if there is a complaint in the investigation, the survivor can approach the High Court.

Through the petition, the survivor demanded a thorough investigation into the change in the hash value of the memory card, which is a crucial piece of evidence in the case of the attack on her. The actress filed a petition to find who illegally checked the memory card three times while it was in the court's custody.

The prosecution had also stated in the High Court that it would demand an inquiry into the incident. The prosecution sought to ensure that nothing happened to the footage on the memory card.

Actor Dileep argued in the court that although there is a change in the hash value of the memory card, there is no damage to the footage in the forensic examination report. "The hash value of the scenes remains unchanged. How is this investigated when the visuals are unchanged? It is an attempt to prolong the trial of the case indefinitely. This should not be allowed", Dileep said in his plea.

The hash value of the memory card containing the footage was found to have changed three times. The hash value changed when the memory was in the custody of Angamaly Magistrate Court, trial court and district court. The High Court quashed the trial court's order not to examine the memory card and sent it for scientific examination. The order of the High Court was after considering the petition filed by the Crime Branch.