KOCHI: Citing the chargesheet in the actor abduction case, the prosecution on Wednesday told the Kerala High Court the first accused Pulsar Suni had handed over the mobile phone used to record the victim’s objectionable video to his counsel Pradeesh Chacko at the latter’s office in Ernakulam.
The prosecution made the submission while opposing the anticipatory bail plea of Chacko, the Aluva native who represented Suni in the initial stages of the case. The prosecution said it suspected the involvement of Chacko, the petitioner, in the disappearance of the mobile phone, a crucial evidence which is yet to be seized.
Chacko’s petition
In his petition, Chacko said the Special Investigation Team probing the case asked him to appear before it on Wednesday at 11 am. Apprehending arrest and torture, Chacko filed the anticipatory bail plea. He submitted he had appeared before the court on Suni’s behalf as part of his profession.
SIT given carte blanche, says Kodiyeri
Kottayam: CPM state chief Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Wednesday said the Special Investigation Team(SIT) probing the case has been given a free hand by the government. Kodiyeri told reporters here as per the brief given to the SIT, they can proceed against any person suspected of involvement in the case irrespective of his/her social stature.
“This is applicable to everyone including CPM MLA M Mukesh and the Opposition MLAs. The Leader of Opposition is now demanding the CM’s resignation as the UDF is upset the police cracked the case and arrested the accused. If his demand is genuine he should ask one of their MLAs, accused of involvement in the case, to resign,” he said.
ED, I-T Dept open to probing Dileep’s ‘benami’ biz deals
Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (I-T) Department will probe the benami business dealings of actor Dileep, only if the state police refer the matter to them. ED and I-T officers told Express the police had not shared information on any benami dealings by Dileep. “Once the state police refer to us any such dealings by the actor, we will launch a probe. Even complaints against business dealings by the actor can be probed. At present, the police have not approached us,” an ED officer said. A top officer with the I-T Investigation Wing, Kochi, said no probe into tax evasions by Dileep was under way. “The actor owns several business establishments and properties in the state. A probe can be held if there is any tip-off about irregularities like hoarding of black money,” the officer said.
Tax evasion probe in 2013
The ED officer said the Customs and Central Excise Department had launched a probe against Dileep in 2013 after he evaded service tax. “During the probe, it was revealed Dileep used to take remunerations in the form of overseas rights’ share from producers,” the officer said. The investigation was closed after Dileep paid the fine.