KOCHI: The probe team investigating the conspiracy case told the High Court that the accused, including actor Dileep, had destroyed evidence from their phones before handing over the phones to the court. Prosecution director-general TA Shaji informed this while the court was hearing the actor's plea to quash further investigation in the actress assault case. Although the data on the phones were deleted, some crucial information has been recovered.

The single bench had directed Dileep, his brother Anoop, brother-in-law TN Suraj, cousin Appu and friend Baiju Chengamanadu to produce their mobile phones. According to the DGP, the accused destroyed evidence from their phones soon after this.

The probe team had recently obtained permission from the court to collect voice samples of the accused. After this, the accused should be questioned again. Digital evidence should be examined. The investigation is in its final stages. The probe team has recorded statements of 40 witnesses. The prosecution said that the credibility of Balachandra Kumar's statement was verified.

Dileep's lawyer told the court that further investigation was being carried out to prolong the trial of the actress assault case. Dileep's lawyer also demanded that the High Court quash this and direct the trial to continue. While Balachandra Kumar stated that Dileep had obtained the footage of the attack on the actress, the probe team has not found the person who might have handed over the footage to the actor. The survivor told the court that the accused Dileep could not legally interfere in the further investigation of the case.