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A Supreme Court bench of Justices Khanwilkar and Ravikumar today refused to extend the time for completion of trial of a case pertaining to abduction and molestation of a Malayalam actor, in which Malayali actor Dileep is an accused. The state of Kerala had moved the Supreme Court seeking extension of time on the ground that a new witness has approached the police.

Sr. Adv. Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Dileep argued that with 202 witnesses having been examined, seeking extension of trial because someone has now suddenly approached the police after 5 years is unreasonable. He further argued that the state is conducting a media trial despite the Court ordering an in-camera proceedings.

He said, “I am a popular Malayalam actor and my reputation is at stake here.”

Sr. Adv. Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the state of Kerala sought for extension of time and asked the Court to call for a report from the Trial Judge in this regard. The Court, however, declined this request.

The Court on hearing the parties refused to grant an extension of time for completion of trial and further held that it would be appropriate for a Trial Judge to seek an extension, if at all it is required. With this, the application by the state of Kerala stood disposed.

Kerala Police had, on January 9, registered another case on a complaint by an investigating officer based on a purported audio clip in which Dileep was heard conspiring to attack officials investigating the sexual assault case back in 2017.

Cause Title: P. Gopalkrishnan @ Dileep vs State of Kerala