Kochi: Actor Dileep filed a new petition in the Kerala High Court on Thursday, claiming that the police's investigation into the sexual assault case of an actress was a "wilful attempt" to prolong the case's trial.

In his plea, filed through attorney Philip T Varghese, the actor argues that further investigation into the case is not permitted because a final report was filed in November 2017, charges were filed in January 2020, and only one prosecution witness remained to be examined: one of the investigating officers.

The petition claims that the police engaged in a "series of vengeful measures" under the pretence of further inquiry.

According to the petition, one example of such acts was the allegedly fake case brought against the actor and other male members of his family, accusing them of plotting to assassinate police officials investigating the actress assault case.

It asks for the report issued by the police in the trial court, reportedly containing filmmaker Balachandra Kumar's statement, to be quashed, as well as any subsequent procedures stemming from it.

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