Kochi: Malayalam actor Dileeep, accused in the February 17, 2017 actress assault case, seems to be getting support from unlikely quarters as the trial in the sensational case progresses.
Manorama News aired statements of co-accused Vijeesh and Martin who claimed that the case against Dileep was foisted on him with malicious intent.
"Superintendent of police (Rural) A V George had assured me that he would make me an approver if I were to make statements against Dileep," accused Vijeesh said. George is currently under suspension for his alleged role in the Varappuzha custodial death case.
"There were attempts to make me name Dileep as the man behind the crime. They even threatened me against revealing the 'truth'. My family is facing threats. I have submitted a 16-page document to the magistrate. As there was threat to life, this should be considered as a dying declaration," said Martin, who was the driver of the victim actress.
The Ernakulam Principal District and Sessions Court had on Monday dismissed a plea for a special court to hear the case in which a prominent actress was assaulted in a moving car in Kochi.
The court turned down the plea by the victim actress and said the request to provide the services of a woman judge could not be granted. The court also said the counsel for prime accused Pulsar Suni could view the 'visuals of the assault' in the presence of the court.
The court has posted to June 27 the hearing on all allied petitions. Actor Dileep, who reportedly masterminded the kidnap and assault, had filed a petition seeking 'all records.' The court would hear this plea as well on June 27. The court also directed Dileep to specifically enlist the documents he was seeking.
Criminal lawyer BA Aloor informed the court that he was no longer appearing for Pulsar Suni. Aloor, who hit the limelight after he took up the case for the accused in a brutal rape and murder case in Kerala cited pressures and influences on his party as the reason behind his decision.
Suni made an application for another lawyer. In another decision, the court has granted permission for the accused, Sunil Kumar (Pulsar Suni), Pratheesh Chacko and Raju Joseph to acquire copoes of the medical examination conducted on the actress at a hospital at Ernakulam on February 18, a day after the incident.