Kerala actress abduction case: court seeks more time to complete trial
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The Special Court investigating the alleged abduction and assault of a prominent Malayali actress, allegedly masterminded by another prominent actor, has approached the Supreme Court to appeal for six more months to complete the trial.
Although the Supreme Court had given a deadline of February 4 this year, the trial had been delayed due to a host of factors including several pleas to change courts and the order of the Supreme Court to appoint a new prosecutor, Special Judge Honey M. Varghese pointed out.
In October 2020, the actress had written to the Supreme Court demanding a change of court as she accused the trial judge of being a "mute spectator" while the lawyer for the accused actor Dileep 'harassed' her. Almost three months had been lost in the various petitions to change courts, the petitioner said as reported by the Hindu.
Judge Varghese had earlier dismissed a petition to change the court and instructed the prosecution to resume trial from November 3. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic situation prevailing and the fact that only 82 of the nearly 300 witnesses listed in the case could be examined, the prosecution has requested six months to complete the case, the plea reads.