Chargesheet Filed After Completing Probe In All 5 Of Dileep's Media Trial FIRs: State Informs Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court was informed on Wednesday (August 5) that the State has completed its probe into the five FIRs registered over the alleged media trial of actor Dileep in the 2017 actress assault case.

The FIRs were registered pursuant to the Court's earlier direction in 2022. Dileep was, subsequently acquitted in the case by the Sessions Court.

Justice Jobin Sebastian today noted that in the report filed by the public prosecutor, it is stated that investigation has been completed and chargesheets have been filed before the jurisdictional magistrate.

Since the Dileep's counsel sought to verify the same, the Court posted the case after 2 weeks for further consideration. It observed:

"When the matter was taken up today the learned Public Prosecutor filed a report stating that the investigation in all 5 cases have been completed and charge sheet filed by judicial magistrate. Having adverted to such submissions, the petitioner seeks time to verify the present stage of the case."

By a February 20 order, the Court had directed the State to complete the investigation in the FIRs within two months.

Last time, the Court orally questioned the State for not complying with its direction to fast-track investigation into the FIRs. On a previous occasion also, 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, the counsel appearing for the 3rd respondent (Indo-Asian News Channel Private Limited/Reporter TV) again raised the question as to the maintainability of Dileep's plea, when there is no provision prohibiting disclosing the name of an accused in a rape case.

However, the Court felt that since there is already a direction to complete the probe within a specific time, the maintainability question cannot be raised at this juncture. It orally told:

"That stage is now over. There was a direction. My predecessor already gave direction. Can't say locus now...You have to challenge it before the appropriate court. This Court cannot review that order. It's an order passed by my predecessor. I have to stick on to that."

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.

The case is now posted after 2 weeks.

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

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