Almost three years after the controversial abduction and assault of a south Indian actress in a moving vehicle in Kochi, trial in the case will commence on Thursday in Kochi. According to reports, tight security arrangements will be put in place at the Additional Special Sessions Court, Kaloor, as the trial begins in the case involving Malayalam actor Dileep.
As per the trial proceedings scheduled by the court, the survivor will be examined on January 30, January 31, February 1 and February 3. The court has scheduled the first phase of witness examination from January 30 to April 7. The court will examine 137 witnesses in total.
On January 6, the trial court framed charges against Malayalam film actor Dileep and other accused in the case including Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikantan, Vijesh, Saleem, Pradeep, Charly Thomas, Sanal Kumar and Vishnu. The Court had dismissed a plea filed by Dileep, seeking to exclude him from the list of accused. The Court had admitted the prosecution argument that there is prima facie evidence against him in the crime and dismissed the plea of the actor, who is eighth accused in the case. The court had also not allowed a plea by the actor to grant him 10 days time to file the appeal in a higher court in the light of the Supreme Court order in November 2019 that the trial should be completed in six months.
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The court is hearing the case in-camera. On December 19 last year, Dileep, along with his lawyers and a technical expert, had examined the contents of the electronic records at the closed room of the court. Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed that the actor be allowed to inspect the records to enable him to present an effective defence during the trial.
In February 2017, the actress was allegedly abducted and molested by the accused. Seven people, including the key accused 'Pulsar' Suni were arrested in connection with the actress' abduction case. There are 10 accused in the case. The entire act had allegedly taken place in a moving vehicle, which was filmed by the accused to blackmail her. Dileep was subsequently arrested and arrayed as an accused in connection with offences under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and IT Act.
-with inputs from PTI, Manorama
