The Kerala High Court on Friday sought the state government's stand on an allegation that the memory card and pendrive containing evidence in the actor assault case were accessed by unauthorized persons. The survivor has demanded a fresh investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) supervised by the High Court.
Court's Directive
Justice P. Gopinath issued the directive while hearing a petition filed by the survivor seeking a probe into the alleged leak. The court asked the government to file its response within two weeks.
Allegations of Leak
The survivor's counsel argued that the contents of the memory card and pendrive were accessed by several people, compromising the integrity of the evidence. The petitioner sought a court-monitored SIT probe to ensure impartiality.
Background of the Case
The actor assault case dates back to 2017, involving the abduction and sexual assault of a prominent Malayalam actress. The case was investigated initially by the Crime Branch and later by a special investigation team. The survivor has consistently raised concerns about the handling of evidence.
Government's Response Awaited
The High Court's decision to seek the government's stand is seen as a significant step. The government is expected to clarify whether any unauthorized access occurred and what measures are being taken to safeguard evidence.
The next hearing is scheduled for June 26.
