Kochi, July 15 (PTI): A court in nearby Angamaly today refused bail to popular Malayalam actor Dileep, arrested in connection with the alleged abduction and assault of a South Indian actress, and sent him to judicial custody till July 25.
Opposing the bail plea moved by the actor’s counsel, the prosecution informed the judicial magistrate court that there is strong evidence against Dileep and expressed apprehension that granting bail would lead to tampering of evidence and influencing witnesses as he is very influential.
It would also adversely affect the ongoing probe into the conspiracy behind the sensational case, the prosecution said.
Special prosecutor A Sureshan alleged that supporters of Dileep have launched a strong campaign through social media hailing the actor, who is a prime suspect in the case.
If the actor is let out on bail, such campaigns, which have also targeted police, would be further strengthened, affecting the investigation, he said.
The prosecution alleged that the accused, charged under various sections of IPC, including Section 120(B) (punishment of criminal conspiracy) has spoken to the media against the actress who was subjected to brutal assault in a moving car on February 17 and that if he was out on bail, that would be a threat to the victim.
The government lawyer also pointed out that no accused arrested in connection with the case had been granted bail.
Moreover, police are looking for two other persons-- Dileep’s manager and a lawyer-- who are also suspected to have links with the key accused in the case, ‘Pulsar’ Suni.
The prosecution also submitted a case diary in the court in a sealed cover to strengthen its argument.
The actor, brought to the court amid tight security on completion of three-day police custody, was later sent to a sub-jail in Aluva, which is also his home town.
The actor’s counsel argued that his client was made an accused in the case merely on statements given by the first accused ‘Pulsar’ Suni, who is a habitual offender.
He alleged that there was no evidence against Dileep and he was being framed in the case.
Counsel also submitted a sealed cover with two mobile phones of Dileep to the court, with a plea to conduct a scientific examination of them without handing them over to police, as they would then be tampered with.
This move came even as police claimed that the phone used by the prime accused to take a video of assault of the actress reached Dileep through a lawyer allegedly connected with ‘Pulsar’ Suni.
The popular actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on February 17 and later escaped in a busy area here.
