The Kerala High Court has dismissed a plea from N.S. Sunil, the prime accused in the 2017 actor assault case, to recall two witnesses examined during the trial. The court deemed the request as “frivolous,” stating that it appeared aimed at delaying the legal proceedings.
Justice C. Jayachandran emphasized that the evidence sought to be presented by recalling the witnesses was not critical to making a fair decision in the case. The trial, which began on January 30, 2020, has faced multiple extensions beyond the Supreme Court’s initial timeframe, and the court maintained that the current application was a misuse of legal processes to postpone resolution.
The court noted that the accused had ample opportunity to address this matter during the trial and lacked any valid grounds for claiming he was unable to cross-examine the witnesses.
Sunil’s motion followed a previous rejection by the Sessions Court regarding the recall of two forensic experts. One of these witnesses is a doctor who collected samples for forensic analysis, while the other serves as the Assistant Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory.
Sunil argued that he was unable to adequately prepare for the cross-examination due to being in judicial custody until September 20, 2024. However, the High Court countered that he had been present throughout the trial and could not substantiate his complaint regarding lack of opportunity.
The brutal incident involving the actress-victim, known for her work in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema, took place on the night of February 17, 2017, when she was abducted and allegedly assaulted in her car by armed assailants, who recorded the act to blackmail her.
Currently, there are 10 individuals accused in connection with the case, including actor Dileep, with seven having been arrested to date. Dileep was later apprehended and subsequently released on bail.
This significant ruling highlights the ongoing legal efforts to address this high-profile assault case, drawing attention to both the judicial process and the safety of individuals in the entertainment industry.
