Kerala High Court reprimands state government over delayed Dileep media trial probe

On 30 July, the Kerala High Court criticised the state government for failing to act on the court’s order to speed up the investigation into actor Dileep Kumar’s alleged media‑trial concerning the 2017 assault on an actress. Justice Jobin Sebastian warned that repeated non‑compliance could lead to contempt proceedings. The court had instructed the government in February to complete the probe within two months, and after the deadline passed the bench issued a verbal warning. The investigation remains incomplete, and the next hearing is scheduled for 5 August. Dileep, who was previously acquitted by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court, had filed a petition seeking a faster inquiry into the alleged leak of trial details that sparked extensive media coverage.