Kerala actor assault case: HC admits survivor’s plea, orders safe custody of memory card, pen drive

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Justice C.S. Dias directed the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court to transfer the memory card and pen drive in a sealed cover through a messenger to the Registrar General of the High Court, where it is to be kept safe until further orders. | Photo Credit: R.K. Nithin

The memory card and pen drive, key evidence in the 2017 Kerala actor assault case, are to be kept in safe custody, said Kerala High Court on Friday, while admitting a petition by the survivor seeking a probe into the alleged tampering, copying and transmission of the videos of the crime contained in these devices.

Justice C.S. Dias directed the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court to transfer the memory card and pen drive in a sealed cover through a messenger to the Registrar General of the High Court, where it is to be kept safe until further orders.

The court further directed the State to file its response to the survivor’s plea within a month.

While admitting the plea, the court stated that it was satisfied that there was a prima facie case for the order of safe custody.

The matter was admitted by the Kerala High Court after two High Court Judges – Justices Kauser Edappagath and Jobin Sebastian – had recused themselves from hearing the petition previously.

The court is also considering petitions from the convicted on the quantum of punishment awarded, whereas the State has sought orders to punish the acquitted persons and enhance the penalty of the convicted.