Key accused in Kerala actor assault case gets bail

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday granted bail to a key accused in the 2017 actress assault case in which actor Dileep is also an accused.

The court acknowledged the fourth accused Vijeesh's argument that locking up in jail over a case that gets prolonged on and on is an inhuman thing to do.

Last week, the High Court had denied bail to the main accused in the actor abduction and assault case, Pulsar Suni, saying the case is at a crucial stage and he cannot be released now.

The prosecution opposed Suni's bail citing his criminal background and the possibility to influence some of the witnesses. But the petitioner contended that he was facing serious threats even in jail that prompted him to apply for bail. He said that since many bigwigs in the Malayalam film industry were involved in the crime, there was a move to silence him in jail. He also cited the recent bail to second accused Martin Antony, driver of the woman actor, by the Supreme Court.

The actress-victim, who has worked in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, was abducted and allegedly molested in her car for two hours by some persons who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017, and later escaped in a busy area. The entire act was filmed by those persons to blackmail the actress.

There are 10 accused in the 2017 case and police have arrested seven. Dileep was arrested subsequently and released on bail.