Actress assault case: HC seeks progress on 5 FIRs registered on Dileep’s complaint against media trial

Kochi: With just 10 days left for the verdict in the controversial actress assault case, the Kerala High Court on Friday asked the state government to report on the status of the five FIRs registered following its earlier order on actor Dileep’s petition. In the petition, Dileep alleged that the media had violated the ban on publishing or broadcasting details of the trial and sought the court’s intervention.

When the matter came up before Justice C Pratheep Kumar, Dileep’s counsel submitted that although the FIRs were registered in 2022 based on the court’s January 18, 2022 order, no investigation had taken place. In response, the court orally observed that the purpose of the petition had already been served.

However, Dileep’s lawyer argued that the proceedings should still reach a logical conclusion. As the public prosecutor sought more time to obtain updates on the FIRs, the court adjourned the matter to next week.

Meanwhile, the Principal District and Sessions Court in Ernakulam is set to deliver its verdict in the actress assault case on December 8.

Dileep (P Gopalakrishnan), the eighth accused, faces charges of conspiring in the abduction and sexual assault of the actress in a moving vehicle on the outskirts of Kochi in February 2017.

There are 10 accused in the case, including prime accused Sunil NS, alias Pulsar Suni, all of whom are currently out on bail.

All accused have been directed to appear before the trial court on December 8 for the pronouncement of the verdict.

(With Live Law inputs)