[Dileep case] Supreme Court grants bail to co-accused Martin Antony in 2017 actress sexual assault

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to an accused in connection with the sexual assault of a Kerala actress in 2017 in which Malayalam cine star Dileep is the prime accused [Martin Antony v. State of Kerala].A Bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Abhay S Oka allowed the bail plea of co-accused Martin Antony,in the pending trial in reference to the 2017 first information report (FIR). "Without going into merits/demerits of the matter at this stage, consider it appropriate to observe that the petitioner has made out a case for post arrest bail," the Court said..The petitioner had been in jail for the last five years since 2017, whereas other accused are already out on bail, the Bench noted. The chargesheet was filed against 12 accused persons who are facing trial even as two have since been discharged. The top court directed the authorities to produce Antony before the trial court within 3 days and go about his release as per the terms and conditions that court sets. The trial court is at liberty to impose conditions to ensure his presence during the pending trial, the top court clarified. .Malayalam film actor Dileep and his associates are being tried by at the Additional Sessions (CBI special No III) Court at Ernakulam for allegedly planning and executing a revenge crime against a prominent actress, by having her abducted, sexually assaulted, and photographed in a moving vehicle.It was alleged that the survivor had a role to play in Dileep’s separation from his former wife. Dileep is alleged to have orchestrated the abduction of the actress.Dileep was granted bail in the matter in 2017.The State prosecution had recently approached the Supreme Court seeking an extension of time to complete the trial in the assault case. The top court had disposed of the same stating that it was up to the trial court to take an appropriate decision in that regard.In the meantime, the Kerala High Court allowed the prosecution to summon 5 additional witnesses.The trial which has seen its share of controversies was nearing completion when a film director Balachandra Kumar gave an interview and released some audio clips indicating close association between Dileep, the 8th accused in the case, and Pulsar Suni, the 1st accused.On January 3, the Investigating Officer (IO) in the case had informed the CBI Special Court that further investigation would be necessary in light of the new allegations.The clips and Kumar's statements revealed a conspiracy to kill the police officers who were involved in the investigation, and a new FIR was registered against Dileep and 5 others.He then approached the Court along with the other accused seeking anticipatory bail in the new FIR and the same was granted on February 7 this year.Dileep has also approached the Kerala High Court with a separate plea seeking to restrain the media from reporting on the trial of the sexual assault case till the final verdict is pronounced..Advocate-on-Record Alex Joseph along with advocates Sonali SS, Merin Thapam and SK Bose appeared for the petitioner-accused in the instant bail plea. .Senior Advocate Ranjith Kumar along with advocates Nishe Rajen Shonker, Anu K Joy and Alim Anvar appeared for the State of Kerala. .[Read Order]