Kochi: The Crime Branch is reportedly in possession of solid evidence that could make film actor Dileep's defence in the new case pertaining to the plot to endanger cops untenable. The cops had investigated the 2017 actress attack in which the popular actor was booked and jailed earlier.
One of the accused interrogated by the Crime Branch on Sunday partially confirmed to the police that Dileep had conspired against the police officers.
But the Crime Branch has not revealed whom among the four accused who were subjected to interrogation along with Dileep had found film director Balachandrakumar's statement in this regard true.
Apart from Dileep, his brother Anoop, brother-in-law Suraj, friend Baiju Chengamanad and Anoop's wife's relative Appu were interrogated by the Crime Branch as per the directive of the High Court.
One of the accused reportedly said that he was not part of the conspiracy though he was present at the house of Dileep when the alleged talk on harming the cops was going on.
But the probe team is in a dilemma since it is not in a position to take this statement of the accused as a piece of evidence without recording it as a secret statement before the magistrate since the statement can be changed by the accused as there are chances of all the five accused meeting everyday after the interrogation.
It is also understood that Dileep, in his statement given during the interrogation on Sunday, repeatedly denied the allegations that he had conspired to kill the police officers.
When the interrogators pointed out contradictions in the statements given by Dileep on earlier occasions, it seemed that Dileep took a negative stand. However, the police were not ready to officially confirm these developments.
The probe team fears that since the accused are not in the police custody, the public disclosure of their statements may lead to destruction of the remaining evidence and will create a situation where the accused may change their statements during the interrogation to be held on Monday and Tuesday.
The interrogation of the accused by presenting them with the evidence that is available with the police will be held on Tuesday.
Mobile phones seized
The police let off Suraj, Baiju Chengamanad and Appu on Sunday after seizing their mobile phones.
The interrogation of the five accused were held separately at the district headquarters of the Crime Branch at Kalamassery from 9am to 8 pm.
There were five teams for the interrogation led by Crime Branch Superintendent of Police Mohanachandran.
Additional Director General of Police S Sreejith and Inspector General Gopesh Agarwal came to the Crime Branch office on Sunday to oversee the interrogation.
Sreejith, who read the statements given by Dileep, interrogated the actor to get clarity on certain aspects.
The interrogation will continue on Monday and Tuesday.