Dileep and his associates are already being tried for allegedly planning and executing a revenge crime against a female actor in the Malayalam film industry by having her abducted, sexually assaulted and photographed nude in a moving vehicle. The actress was said to have played a role in the dissolution of Dileep’s marriage with his ex-wife.
On January 3, 2022 the Investigating Officer in the case which began in 2017 informed the CBI Special Court that further investigation would be necessary after statements from a film director Balachandra Kumar revealed that he had heard Dileep’s statements that indicated his intention to take revenge on the police officers investigating the case.
Subsequently, the Crime Branch of the Kerala Police registered a new FIR against Dileep and five others (one whose custody was not sought for by the prosecution) for allegedly threatening the investigation officials.
Of the six accused, Dileep, his brother P Sivakumar and brother-in-law TN Suraj have been charged for offences punishable under Sections 116 (offering bribe to public servant), 118 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
They then approached the Kerala High Court through through advocates Philip T Varghese, Thomas T Varghese, Achu Shubha Abraham, Litha VT, Monisha KR and Nitya R seeking anticipatory bail.
In their plea, it is claimed that the statements of Balachandra Kumar were tutored by the Investigating Officer and that the timing of releasing the interview indicates that the prosecution is merely trying to extend the trial in the sexual assault case, which by directive of the Supreme Court, is due to conclude by February 16, 2022.
Source: Barandbench
