Kochi: A key witness in the actress assault case has changed his stance in favour of actor Dileep, facing conspiracy charges, in his confidential statement recorded before a magistrate over a month ago. The Special Investigation Team probing the case came to know about the development only when a copy of the confidential statement recorded under section CrPC 164 was handed over to them the other day. Earlier, an employee of Laksyah, the online clothing apparatus owned by actress and Dileep’s wife Kavya Madhavan, had informed the police that the main accused Pulsar Suni and his aide Vijesh had reached the textile store office at Kakkanad after the attack looking for Dileep and Kavya.
The SIT made him a key witness as his statement was vital to establish the case findings. However, it has now emerged that the Alappuzha native claimed in the confidential statement given just days before Dileep was let off from jail on bail that he had not seen Suni and Vijesh at Laksyah. The investigation officers refused to comment on the impact of the development on the case, but said they were examining the circumstances under which the witness had a 'change of mind.' During Dileep's bail hearings, the prosecution had argued before the court that the actor could influence the witnesses even in judicial custody. Sources said the probe found that Kavya's driver had contacted the witness over 40 times from his personal mobile number. The SIT is set to submit the additional chargesheet before the court soon and it mainly relies on witness statements of over 20 persons, including those from the film field.
