Kerala HC pulls up state over delay in Dileep-linked ‘media trial’ probe
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Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday expressed strong displeasure over the state government's failure to comply with its direction to fast-track the investigation into criminal cases registered over the alleged media trial of actor Dileep in connection with the sensational 2017 actress assault case.
Justice Jobin Sebastian orally observed that the court's directions had not been implemented despite repeated opportunities and warned that the matter would be viewed very seriously.
"Why are you not complying with the directions of this court? Matter will be viewed very seriously... This is not fine," the judge remarked after the Public Prosecutor sought more time to obtain instructions from the investigating agency.
The court was hearing Dileep's petition seeking a speedy investigation into FIRs registered following his complaint alleging that details of the trial in the actress assault case were illegally leaked and widely publicised, resulting in a sustained media trial.
On February 20, the High Court had directed the state to complete the investigation within two months.
After the deadline was not met, the court last month orally warned that contempt proceedings could be initiated against officials for non-compliance.
Despite the warning, the investigation remains incomplete, prompting the Bench to make sharp observations on Thursday.
The matter has now been posted for further consideration on August 5.
Dileep, who was arraigned as the eighth accused and alleged to be the mastermind behind the 2017 assault on a woman actor, was acquitted by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court last year.
The state government has challenged the acquittal before a Division Bench of the High Court, which is also hearing appeals filed by the convicted accused challenging their convictions and sentences.
The Division Bench has already called for the trial court records as it examines the rival appeals.
Earlier this month, it also rejected the pleas seeking suspension of the sentences of prime accused Pulsar Suni and co-convicts Vadival Saleem and Pradeep.
Thursday's proceedings, however, relate exclusively to Dileep's complaint over the alleged leakage of confidential trial proceedings and the subsequent media coverage.
The High Court's latest warning signals growing judicial impatience over the state's failure to complete the court-monitored investigation within the stipulated timeframe.
With IANS inputs