Kerela HC reserves orders on actor Dileep's bail plea

The Kerala High Court today reserved its orders on the bail plea of Malayalam actor Dileep, arrested for allegedly plotting the February 17 abduction and assault of a popular South Indian actress.

After hearing both sides--the government and accused, Justice Sunil Thomas reserved orders on the plea.

Opposing the bail plea, Director General of Prosecution claimed that evidence gathered by the investigation agency has established that Dileep is the "kingpin" of the crime.

The prosecution said the actor's judicial custody is required as the investigation agency was still looking for the mobile phone used for taking the video of the criminal act committed by first accused Sunil Kumar, alias 'Pulsar' Suni and his gang. 

A "quotation" was given to execute a crime and such a case was reported for the first time in the state, the prosecution said. It said investigation in the case was still on and there was possibility of involvement of other accused in the case.

The prosecution said police may seek further custody of Dileep.

There is clear evidence--mobile phone call records andwitnesses--to prove that the prime accused Suni had met the actor at several places to plot the crime, it said. The prosecution also submitted the case diary in a sealed



cover.

Earlier, Dileep's counsel argued that meeting of two persons will not amount to hatching conspiracy and there was no evidence with the investigation agency to prove that the accused --Pulsar and Dileep--had met and talked.

Arguing that sufficient grounds must be indicated by the investigation agency to keep a person in jail, the counsel described as "totally irrelevant" the statements made by the police in its remand report.

Pleading for bail to the actor, the counsel pointed out that Dileep's police custody was already granted by the magistrate court for the purpose of the investigation.

The intention of the case against him was just to humiliate the actor and destroy his career as a film artiste, he said.

Rejecting the contention of police that the actor would influence witnesses in the case, the counsel said it was impossible for him to do so as the first accused in the crime was in custody.

Pleading innocence, he argued that the actor was arrested on the basis of the statement by the first accused, who, he said, is a notorious criminal.

The actor, arrested on July 10, moved the high court for bail after an Angamaly magisterial court refused to grant him the relief and sent him to judicial custody till July 25.