Kochi: The sensational 2017 actor attack case that rocked Kerala has reached a critical phase with the explosive disclosures of a film director who was once close to the accused actor Dileep. The investigators now need to ascertain the veracity of his claim even as a few quarters make calls for a reinvestigation into the whole case.
Filmmaker Balachandrakumar recently claimed that Dileep was in possession of the incriminating video showing the daring assault on the actor in a moving car and he had seen it while sitting in front of him. He also claimed that the sound of the speaker was amplified 20 times as the footage was being played by Dileep and his associates.
The video was improved in a studio as the sound quality of original record was very low, Balachandrakumar said.
The director also said in his statement that Dileep had invited him to watch the video by asking him whether he wanted to see the cruelty of Pulsar Suni, the gangster who was behind the abduction and assault.
"I initially refused to see the video due to fear and despise. Out of anger against Dileep's actions I recorded in my tablet the sound accompanying the visuals played by him. The copy of this soundtrack was handed over to the police the other day," Balachandrakumar said.
In his police deposition Balachandrakumar also stated that a person, who came from Dubai, handed over the visuals to Dileep in his presence.
"Though I don't know the name of the person who handed over the video to Dileep I would be able to identify him if I see him again," Balachandrakumar added.
Suni's mother may dispose
The probe team has elicited legal advice for recording the secret statement of the mother of the first accused Pulsar Suni. This was done after the letter purportedly sent by Suni to his mother in 2018 came out the other day. The letter contained allegations against Dileep.
Suni's mother made it public the other day that there was threat to life for her son inside the jail. Suni's mother contention was that she released the letter in public as his son's life was under threat.
Hearing on witness re-examination plea over
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court asked the prosecution whether the re-examination of many witnesses in the actor attack case would delay the completion of the ongoing trial. The court also asked the defence side what is wrong in examining additional pieces of evidence.
Justice Kauser Edappagath asked questions to both sides when he was hearing a petition filed by the Kerala Government, seeking calling of original records of phone calls of the accused, and permission for examining more witnesses in the case.
Prosecution Director General TA Shaji said that the examination of certain new witnesses was unavoidable. But Dileep's advocate alleged that the creation of fresh controversies related to the case was the handiwork of police inquiry officer Biju Paulose.
It was pointed out that fresh controversies were deliberately created with the aim of overcoming the lapses committed by the prosecution.
The court wanted to know how the revelations of Balachandrakumar are going to influence the case. The court also said that there should be valid reasons for re-examining witnesses.
