Summary:
Kochi, Mar 8 (PTI) The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed actor Dileep"s plea opposing further probe in the 2017 actress assault case and permitted the Crime Branch to go ahead with the investigation.
The order was passed by Justice Kauser Edappagath who said that the investigating agency has to complete the further probe as expeditiously as possible and not later than April 15.
The actor, represented by senior advocate B Raman Pillai and advocates Philip T Varghese and Thomas T Varghese, had contended that the further investigation was a "sham" and an attempt to further delay the trial of the case.
Dileep had also contended that further investigation in that case was not permissible as a final report had been filed in November 2017, charges were framed in January 2020 and only one prosecution witness -- one of the investigating officers -- remained to be examined.
Opposing his plea, the police -- represented by Director General of Prosecution (DGP) T A Shaji and Additional Public Prosecutor P Narayanan -- had told the court that there was no legal bar or impediment in carrying out further investigation in the 2017 actress assault case merely because the trial was at its fag end and added that no prior permission was required for it.
The prosecution had said that the further probe can be carried out anytime before delivery of verdict, if any fresh material or evidence comes to light.