'Matter Will Be Viewed Very Seriously': Kerala High Court To State Over Delay In Probing Actor Dileep's Media Trial Complaint

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (July 30) orally questioned the State for not complying with its direction to fast-track investigation into the FIRs registered pursuant to its order based on actor Dileep's plea against media trial and alleged publication of trial details in the 2017 Actress Assault case.

On February 20, the Court had directed the State to complete the investigation in the FIRs within two months. Last month, the Court had orally warned that it would initiate contempt proceedings if there is failure to comply with the order and complete investigation.

When the matter came up today before Justice Jobin Sebastian, the public prosecutor sought time to take instructions in the matter.

The Court then orally asked why its order has not been complied with so far. It read out the order passed last time and asked:

"Why are you not complying with the directions of this Court? Matter will be viewed very seriously...This is not fine."

The case is now posted to Wednesday (August 5) for further consideration.

The actor, who was arrayed as the 8th accused in the case and alleged to be the mastermind behind the crime, was acquitted last year by the District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam.

The State has challenged the acquittal of Dileep and other persons as well as the quantum of punishment given to the six convicts in an appeal, which is being considered by a Division Bench.

The Division Bench is also considering the appeals preferred by the convicts challenging their conviction and sentence. It has called for the trial court records in the case.

Earlier this month, the sentence suspension pleas of prime accused Pulsar Suni as well as accused Nos. 5 and 6, Vadival Saleem and Pradeep, were dismissed by the Division Bench.

Case No: OP (Crl.) No. 23/2022

Case Title: P. Gopalakrishnan alias Dileep v. State of Kerala and Ors.