The Kerala High Court had rejected Suni’s bail plea on March 6 prompting him to move the apex court by way of the present appeal.
He has been detained as an undertrial for over six years.
In the infamous case of 2017, a prominent female actor was abducted, driven around in a car, photographed and sexually assaulted, allegedly at actor Dileep’s behest.
The trial in the case is currently underway at the Principal Sessions Court at Ernakulam.
Suni is the first accused in the case. He had allegedly revealed to investigators that prominent figures from the Malayalam Film Industry, including Dileep, were not only involved in the crime but were also the masterminds behind it.
During the recent hearing, the High Court had remarked that despite the time behind bars before completion of trial, the accused cannot be let off given the gravity of the offence and the ‘wrong message’ it would sent to society.
Suni had first moved the Kerala High Court for bail in March 2022 which was rejected. He had then moved the Supreme Court, which in July 2022 declined to grant him bail.
However, the top court had said that if the trial is not concluded within a reasonable time, Suni may renew his bail application before the High Court.
Subsequently, he moved the High Court again which rejected his bail plea on March 6.
In his appeal against the same, Suni admitted that the offence is serious, but pointed out that several witnesses are yet to be examined.
Suni highlighted the case of socialite Indrani Mukherjee, accused of murdering her step-daughter, who was granted bail by the top court in May 2022 after spending 6 years in jail as an undertrial.
There is no likelihood of the case coming to a conclusion in the near future, Suni submitted.
It was also contended that his conduct during the trial has been impeccable, and no hindrance has been caused.
Suni further submitted that the nature of the defence evidence is such that he will be able to adduce the same only on being released on bail.
Source: Barandbench
