Kochi: A request has been reportedly submitted seeking a delay in the verdict of the actress assault case in which actor Dileep is an accused. The plea was filed by High Court advocate Kulathoor Jaysingh, who argues that delivering the judgment on the day before the local body elections could unfairly influence voters.

Advocate Jaysingh has taken the matter to the State Election Commission, claiming that a ruling announced so close to polling could impact the electoral process. He has asked that the judgment be deferred to a later date. A similar complaint had earlier been submitted to the Chief Minister.

Although the Chief Minister forwarded the complaint to the Chief Secretary and subsequently to the Home Secretary, no further action was taken. As a result, the petitioner has now approached the Election Commission directly. The complaint also stresses that Kerala’s significant women voter base might be influenced by the outcome of the case. The stance the Election Commission takes—especially in light of the court’s direction requiring all accused to appear—will be important.

Even so, it is generally believed that the Commission may not request a last-minute postponement. Should it do so, the situation could shift dramatically, and an adjournment of the verdict cannot be ruled out.

Women comprise a larger share of Kerala’s electorate, and the petition notes that issues such as justice, safety and women’s dignity could become deciding factors at the polling booth. A verdict delivered immediately before voting, the petitioner argues, could affect the neutrality of the election.

It has been eight and a half years since the case began. Numerous legal moves by Dileep and the other accused contributed to the prolonged trial. Additional investigations were also conducted midway, triggered by new disclosures. Just as the court is preparing to announce its verdict, the petition has now surfaced.

Meanwhile, the court has ordered all accused, including Pulsar Suni, Dileep and Sarath, to be present on Monday morning. Kerala now awaits the outcome: whether Dileep will be convicted, acquitted, or face another unexpected development.