Kerala Actor Assault Case : Supreme Court Directs Trial To Be Completed Preferably Within January 31, 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday extended the time for completion of trial in the Kerala actor sexual assault case. The Court said that the trial should be completed preferably within January 31, 2023.

A bench comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and MM Sundresh passed the order considering the application filed by the trial judge. The bench directed all parties involved to cooperate for timely completion of trial. The bench has also directed the trial court to submit a status report on the progress in the case within 4 weeks.

Actor Dileep, who is facing trial in the case as the alleged mastermind of the crime, had also moved an application seeking a time-line for completing the trial in the case.  Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Dileep, submitted that the State Government and the victim were raising baseless allegations against the trial judge.  

Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar and Nishe Rajan Shonker, appearing for the State Government, denied the allegations. Senior Advocate R Basant, appearing for the victim, submitted that the Kerala High Court is hearing her application seeking the transfer of trial to some other court.

The case relates to the kidnap and the sexual attack against a female actor in the outskirts of Kochi in February 2017. Dileep is alleged to be the mastermind behind the crime and is facing trial for criminal conspiracy. Recently, the trial court had allowed further investigation in the case on the basis of fresh allegations raised by film director Balachandra Kumar in December 2021. 

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