The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the Kerala government's request to change a woman judge in a trial court hearing case against actor Dileep. He was accused of the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of an actress in February 2017.
As per reports, the Court on Tuesday dismissed the special leave petition filed by the State of Kerala, which has alleged bias by the trial court judge who is hearing the sexual assault charges against the Malayalam film actor. The top court, however, claimed that these allegations are "unwarranted", adding that "much hype has been created in Kerala in this sensitive case. There must be some restraint from all sides." The Supreme Court further added that such allegations by the government will affect the morale of the judge.
"If the court is not properly recording cross-examination or if the state has any objections, it can take the issue to the higher court," the Supreme Court said.
The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was allegedly kidnapped and sexually abused by a gang of men in a moving car while travelling to Kochi for work in 2017. There were at least four men, who had reportedly filmed the attack, and a total of ten accused in the case. Among them, Dileep was reported to be the mastermind of the criminal conspiracy to kidnap and assault. Seven people were arrested in connection with the actress' abduction. In April this year, the High Court appointed a woman judge for conducting the trial in the case.
In November 2019, the court had ordered that the trial should be completed "preferably within six months". Dileep was arrested in July 2017 under the Indian Penal Code and IT Act. After 88 days of custody, the High Court granted him bail.
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Feature Image Credit: Deccan Herald
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