Actor Dileep Denied Bail By Court In Kerala Actress Assault Case

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala actor Dileep, arrested in connection with the kidnapping and sexual assault of an actress in February this year, has been denied bail by a lower court in Kerala and sent back to jail till July 25. 

Dileep was arrested earlier this week and sent to judicial custody for 14 days. But on Wednesday, his custody was handed over to the police, which took him to multiple places as they try to piece together evidence in the case. Dileep's police custody was extended by a day by the lower court on Friday.

The 48-year-old actor is now expected to apply for bail in a higher court.

Countering his petition for bail, Special Prosecutor A Sureshan said on Saturday, "If the actor is allowed bail, he will influence the witness... There is already a massive social media campaign underway to portray him as innocent. We have enough evidence to prove his crime. But we need more and that's why he shouldn't be allowed bail."

But confirming that they will be applying for bail in High Court on Monday, Dileep's lawyer K Ramkumar said, "Prosecution says Dileep will influences witnesses. But where are these witnesses? Either they are already in jail or their statements have been recorded. Police is relying on the statement of a criminal like Pulsar Suni - main accused in the case as evidence against Dileep,"

The police have alleged in a report to the court that the actor had offered the actress's former driver Pulsar Suni Rs 1.5 crore in 2013 to attack her, record the assault and click nude photographs. The police claim that Dileep had a "personal enmity" with the actress, who he allegedly blames for his first marriage falling apart.  

The police have said they arrested Dileep based on 19 pieces of evidence that they have gathered in connection with the abduction of the young actress on February 17 when she was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi by road. For two hours she was sexually assaulted by at least four men who recorded the attack on a mobile phone. They dumped her near the home of a director, who informed the police.

Dileep has denied all allegations and has alleged a conspiracy against him.