In a verdict that brings to a close one of the most closely followed criminal trials in Kerala’s recent history, the Principal District and Sessions Court in Ernakulam on Monday acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 case concerning the abduction and sexual assault of a prominent woman actor. The court, presided over by Judge Honey M Varghese, found that the prosecution had failed to substantiate the allegations against Dileep, who was listed as the eighth accused, and against Charlie Thomas, the seventh accused.
However, the court convicted six others, including the prime accused Sunil N S, better known as Pulsar Suni, finding them guilty of multiple serious charges including conspiracy, kidnapping, and gang rape. Sentences for the convicted individuals will be pronounced on December 12.
Court Finds Key Accused Guilty of Multiple Charges
A Case That Shook Kerala’s Film Industry
Dileep’s Arrest, Trial, and Acquittal
What Lies Ahead
Court Finds Key Accused Guilty of Multiple Charges
The six men convicted in the case are Sunil N S alias Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh V P, Salim H alias Vadival Salim, and Pradeep. They were found guilty under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 340 (wrongful confinement), 354 (use of criminal force to outrage modesty), 366 (kidnapping), 354B (use of force to disrobe a woman), and 376D (gang rape).
The court also found them guilty under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act for filming the sexual assault, an act that added a layer of digital evidence to a case already fraught with emotional and social repercussions.
The Sessions Court noted that the evidence presented clearly established the involvement of the first six accused in the crime, while the same could not be said for Dileep and Charlie Thomas. The judge stated that the prosecution was unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Dileep had played any role in planning or abetting the crime.
A Case That Shook Kerala’s Film Industry
The incident dates back to February 17, 2017, when the survivor, a well-known Malayalam actor, was abducted while travelling to a film shoot in Thrissur. She was allegedly confined inside a moving vehicle and subjected to sexual assault, with the ordeal recorded by the perpetrators on camera.
The case sent shockwaves through Kerala and the wider film industry, not only for the nature of the crime but also for the stature of the accused and the victim. The survivor’s courage in pursuing justice inspired widespread conversations about safety, gender dynamics, and accountability in the entertainment world.
The first major breakthrough came the day after the incident, when the police arrested Martin Antony, the driver of the vehicle. Within a week, the alleged mastermind Pulsar Suni was also taken into custody. By the end of that month, four more individuals had been arrested, marking a swift initial phase of the investigation.
Suni, the first accused, remained in custody for over seven years before being granted bail by the Supreme Court in 2024. Throughout this period, he consistently maintained that he had acted on someone else’s instructions, though his claims remained mired in contradictions and speculation.
Dileep’s Arrest, Trial, and Acquittal
Dileep’s arrest in July 2017 marked a dramatic turning point in the case. The actor was accused of conspiring to orchestrate the crime as an act of revenge following personal disputes involving his then-wife. His arrest divided public opinion in Kerala, leading to polarised debates and protests across the state.
The actor’s first two bail pleas were rejected by the Kerala High Court, citing the gravity of the charges and the need for a thorough investigation. He was eventually granted bail in October 2017 after spending 83 days in judicial custody.
The trial officially commenced in 2020 and continued for nearly five years. During the proceedings, more than 200 witnesses were examined, and hundreds of documents were submitted as evidence. Despite the extensive nature of the trial, the court ultimately ruled that the prosecution’s case against Dileep lacked sufficient evidence for conviction.
For Dileep, who remains one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest stars, the verdict marks the end of a prolonged legal and public ordeal. The actor had consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he had been falsely implicated.
What Lies Ahead
While the judgment has acquitted Dileep, it does not necessarily bring the legal proceedings to a full stop. The survivor retains the right to appeal the verdict before the Kerala High Court, which could reopen judicial scrutiny into the alleged conspiracy.
The case remains a defining chapter in Kerala’s cultural and judicial narrative, one that tested the state’s legal system and its society’s response to crimes against women. As the dust settles, the conversation around justice, gender, and accountability in Malayalam cinema is far from over.
Also Read: Dileep’s ‘Prince And Family’ Cleared For Release With A U Certificate
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: filmfare.com
