Dileep Acquitted After 8 Years: Kerala Court Convicts Six in 2017 Actress Assault Case

A Kerala court on Monday delivered a landmark verdict in the 2017 actress assault case, acquitting Malayalam actor Dileep while convicting six of the primary accused, including the prime culprit Sunil N.S., also known as Pulsar Suni. The judgment was pronounced by Ernakulam Principal Sessions Judge Honey M. Varghese in a packed courtroom, bringing to a close one of the most closely watched trials in the state’s recent legal history. Three others besides Dileep were also acquitted in the case.

The trial, which concluded on November 25, found the first six accused guilty on all charges, including conspiracy, abduction, criminal assault, gang rape, wrongful confinement, destruction of evidence, and harbouring an offender under multiple IPC sections. The court will pronounce the quantum of punishment on December 12. Meanwhile, the CPI(M) has stated that the state government will appeal the acquittal of Dileep and others, asserting that justice for the survivor must be ensured through higher judicial review.

The assault incident, which occurred on February 17, 2017, had sent shockwaves across Kerala. The prosecution stated that a group of men forcibly entered the actress’s vehicle, held her captive for two hours, and recorded explicit visuals before fleeing in a crowded area. Police swiftly arrested the accused and filed the initial charge sheet in April 2017. During further investigation, Dileep was arrested in July 2017 after receiving an alleged letter from Pulsar Suni while he was in jail, though he later secured bail in October the same year.

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The case has been marked by numerous unprecedented twists. From petitions seeking CBI intervention to multiple delays caused by legal challenges from both sides, the trial faced constant disruptions. The Covid-19 pandemic further halted proceedings, while changes in special prosecutors and disputes over evidence management, particularly the memory card containing the assault video, added layers of complexity. The Kerala High Court later ordered a fact-finding inquiry into allegations of tampering, which revealed unauthorized access by court officials.

Over 261 witnesses were examined during the trial, including several prominent figures from the Malayalam film industry, many of whom turned hostile. The investigating officer alone was cross-examined for 109 days. A total of 834 documents were admitted as evidence, making the case one of the most detailed and extensive legal battles in the state. During the trial period, two significant witnesses—former MLA P.T. Thomas and director Balachandra Kumar—passed away, adding further challenges to the prosecution.

The supplementary charge sheet filed in November 2017 named seven additional accused, including Dileep, though several were later discharged or turned approvers. Allegations that Dileep possessed the assault visuals and later conspired to harm investigating officers led to separate cases, deepening the controversy. As the judgment marks a major turning point, all eyes are now on the upcoming sentencing and the government’s expected appeal to the High Court.

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