The Kerala HC has denied actor Dileep bail in the Malayalam actor abduction and sexual assault case on Monday.
The case had come up for hearing on Thursday but the court reserved its decision until Monday.
The prosecution had argued that a great amount of planning had gone into the heinous crime against the woman, including gangrape. It had also pointed out that with Dileep's driver Appunni, who is suspected of being linked to the conspiracy, absconding, the case will be compromised if Dileep is allowed bail.
The Kerala HC agreed with the prosecution that Dileep may influence witnesses if granted bail, noting that there is sufficient evidence to link him to the crime. The court checked the police case diaries and Dileep's phone location records to make this observation.
At the Kerala High Court, Dileep's counsel Ramkumar argued that the police did not have sufficient evidence to prove that Dileep had hatched the conspiracy with Pulsar Suni, the prime accused in the case, on the basis of a few meetings.
Dileep had earlier claimed that he did not know Pulsar Suni at all.
Last Saturday, the Judicial Magistrate of the Angamaly Court had denied Dileep bail, stating that the charges against him were grievous and that the court's decision would send a message to "like-minded" people.
The charges against the actor include Section 376 (gangrape). Dileep's counsel Ramkumar had maintained that there was no evidence to link Dileep to the conspiracy. However, the prosecution argued that giving bail to Dileep might influence witnesses and even the victim.
The prosecution had also alleged that the actor had employed a PR firm to change public opinion in his favour.
The Angamaly Court had agreed with the prosecution that giving Dileep bail might influence the witnesses in the case.
The prime accused in the case, Pulsar Suni, who was arrested a few days after the crime, has been dropping hints that there are many more "big sharks" to be caught in the case and that the "VIP in Aluva sub jail" (Dileep) would reveal more.
Dileep was arrested by the police on July 10 for allegedly being the mastermind behind the attack on the prominent woman actor on February 17 this year. Though the Malayalam film industry had thrown its weight behind the actor, the police claimed that there was "irrefutable evidence" against Dileep in the case.