Setback for Dileep again; HC rejects plea seeking CBI probe in actor assault case

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has dismissed the plea filed by actor Dileep, the eighth accused in the actor assault case, seeking a CBI investigation. The division bench dismissed the plea on the basis of the assessment that the trial of the case had reached the final stage. Dileep approached the court four years ago seeking a CBI investigation. The single bench had earlier dismissed the plea making the same demand. He then approached the division bench.

It is rare for the arraigned to approach the court seeking a CBI investigation. Dileep had put forward the demand for a central agency for an impartial investigation in the case. Although the police filed a chargesheet on April 17 in 2017, the mobile phone on which the visuals of the attack were recorded, has not been recovered so far. It was also mentioned in the plea that it needs to be found.

Meantime, the trial proceedings in the actress attack case are being completed in the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court. The arguments of both sides will be completed on the 11th, when the courts begin their mid-summer vacation. The case will then be adjourned for verdict. The verdict is likely to be pronounced by the first week of June.