Kochi: Rejecting the petition moved by actor Dileep, the Kerala High Court has appointed a woman judge to try the actress assault case. Judge Honey Varghese of the CBI Court, Ernakulam will be in charge of the trial.
The order in this regard was issued by the High Court along with the directive that efforts should be made to complete the procedures within nine months. With this order, the High Court has closed the hearing on the plea moved by the actress seeking a woman judge.
Along with Dileep, another main accused Pulsar Suni also had moved a petition raising objections to changing the trial court.
Dileep had on Monday submitted a petition before the High Court seeking to hear his version while considering the plea for a woman judge. The actor's lawyer, during his argument, stressed on the demand that the trial court should not be changed. According to Dileep’s lawyer, if every rape victim seeks trial in a woman judge's court, it would be impractical.
The government counsel took the stand that the accused had moved the plea to delay the trial, while the court was about to pronounce the judgment.
Pointing out to Dileep that the victim had sought a woman judge and not shifting the trial court, the High Court asked the actor whether he did not want the procedures to be completed quickly.
The lawyer representing Pulsar Suni also had earlier approached the High Court with the plea that the trial court should not be changed. According to him, any change in the trial court would cause loss of valuable time and money for the accused as well those connected with him.
Dileep, who was arrested on July 10 2017, was granted bail on October 3, 2017. The actress, who has also worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours on February 17, 2017.
