In a major setback for Dileep, the Malayalam actor was denied bail for a fourth time. Dileep, who has now spent 71 days in custody, was denied bail again by the Angamaly Magistrate Court on Monday.
Dileep's advocate had told the court that since the additional chargesheet was not filed within 60 days of his arrest, he is eligible for bail. But the prosecution argued that allowing him to secure bail at this crucial juncture could jeopardise the case.
Dileep was arrested on July 10 for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy surrounding the abduction and alleged sexual assault of a woman actor in February.
This was the fourth time Dileep sought bail, after his previous three bail application were rejected – once by the Angamaly Magistrate Court and twice by the Kerala High Court.
The lower court had, on Saturday, extended his remand period till September 28. With his upcoming film Ramaleela releasing on September 28 after nearly a delay of two months due to his arrest, the latest development comes as a big setback for the actor.
Although there was speculation that Dileep would file his fourth bail plea at the High Court, he filed his application at the lower court on Thursday, through his lawyer Raman Pillai Associates. In the bail plea, he argued that he has thoroughly cooperated with the investigation team and that he should be allowed bail on the principles of natural justice.
This time, Dileep’s lawyer had approached the court with a different argument from the previous bail pleas. He had argued that the gangrape charge against Dileep could not stand, and that the police claims that Dileep had asked Pulsar Suni to record visuals of the assault were fabricated and they had no proof to prove the allegation.
On Saturday, Dileep's wife and actor Kavya Madhavan filed an application for anticipatory bail at the Kerala High Court. The actor has alleged that the police is trying to fabricate a connection to her in the case, and that they are trying to bring in false evidence that main accused Pulsar Suni was her driver.
Dileep's confidante and director Nadhirshah has also filed an application for anticipatory bail plea. He appeared before the investigating team for questioning.