KOCHI: The High Court has postponed the plea filed by a young actress seeking an investigation into the unauthorized examination of the memory card containing the footage of her assault. Actor Dileep, an accused in the case opposed the investigation through a petition.

Justice K Babu inquired why Dileep was concerned about the actress's request for an investigation.

Dileep's lawyer responded that the actress filed this petition to prolong the trial and evade the judgment of the current trial court judge. The prosecution had earlier supported the actress's demand. The judgment was adjourned after the parties completed their arguments in the petition.

Forensic examination revealed that the memory card was illegally accessed on the nights of January 9 and December 13, 2018 respectively while in the custody of the Angamaly Judicial First-Class Magistrate Court and then the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court.

Dileep's plea claimed that the allegation of unauthorized access to the memory card is false. He also requested the postponement of the hearing of the actress's petition as the forensic lab officials need to be examined as witnesses in the trial court regarding the assault case. When reviewed by experts, it became evident that there were significant contradictions in the forensic report. These contradictions cannot be disclosed now as no cross-examination has taken place. The petition also stated that the information could be provided in a sealed cover if the court so requests.

Advocate Ranjith B Marar was appointed as amicus curiae by a single bench. This is part of the effort to establish common standards for electronic document verification.