Fri Dec 13 09:36:46 UTC 2024: ## Death of Witness Won’t Impact Kerala Actor Rape Case, Say Legal Sources
**KOCHI, December 13, 2024** – The death of P. Balachandrakumar, an additional prosecution witness in the high-profile Kerala actor rape case, will not affect the ongoing trial, legal sources confirmed today. Balachandrakumar, a friend-turned-foe of actor Dileep (an accused in the case), had already completed his testimony, which included extensive examination and cross-examination by both the prosecution and defense. His evidence, gathered over nearly 50 days (mostly via video conferencing due to health concerns), is already part of the case record.
Balachandrakumar’s testimony was crucial to the prosecution’s argument that Dileep and the first accused, N.S. Sunil, had met before the alleged 2017 rape. The prosecution had used his statements and a letter he wrote to the Chief Minister to support their claim, countering the defense’s assertion that the two men never met. Balachandrakumar’s alleged revelations about Dileep and relatives viewing visuals of the alleged rape also formed part of the prosecution’s request for further investigation. This request was made before the scheduled examination of the investigating officer, Baiju Poulose. The case, nearing its final stages, involves nearly 250 witnesses. Dileep also faces charges of destroying evidence related to the alleged rape.
First Piper 