2017 Kerala Actress Assault Case Verdict LIVE Updates: A total of 10 people, including Malayalam actor Dileep, were named as accused in the case.2017 Kerala Actress Assault Case Verdict LIVE Updates: In February 2017, a leading Malayalam female actor was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving car in Kochi, an incident alleged to be part of a broader conspiracy involving prominent actor Dileep. Almost nine years after the heinous crime that sent shockwaves across the nation, the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions court pronounced its verdict in the case on Monday, December 8. While Dileep was acquitted, six others, including Pulsar Suni, who directly committed the crime, were found guilty.
During the investigation, Sunil Kumar alias Pulsar Suni, a driver working in the film industry, was named as the prime accused. But it didn’t end with him. During the assault, Suni reportedly told the survivor that he was executing a contract, commonly referred to as a “quotation.”
Investigators later concluded that the attack was not a random act of violence but part of a larger conspiracy intended to intimidate and humiliate the survivor. This line of inquiry eventually led them to actor-producer Dileep, who allegedly hired Pulsar Suni to carry out the assault. A total of 10 people, including Dileep, were named accused in the case.
After several twists in the trial, on December 8, Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese delivered the verdict in the case, one that has significantly disrupted the Malayalam film industry and has had several twists during the trial.
Cinematographer Radhika Padmakumar posted on her Instagram Stories, "And as expected, he goes scot-free. Every damn thing has become about how much one shit money. To even have an iota of hope in this cruel, unjust world seems silly. Truly cannot imagine what it must be for the unprivileged. #avalkoppam."
Uma Thomas, MLA, has made a Facebook post sharing that the soul of her husband and former legislator, the late P T Thomas, who played a pivotal role in reporting the alleged abduction and rape of the actor to the police, would never be satisfied with the verdict.
Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) Vice President Lakshmi Priya reacts to Dileep's acquittal. She said, "The news brings me happiness; I don't believe he would've done such a thing."
Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) General Secretary, B Unnikrishnan, spoke about the acquittal of actor Dileep in the actress assault case. He also shared that the Directors Union will take a decision on his membership. He told Manorama Online, "When Dileep was accused, FEFKA was the only organization that took a strong stand by expelling Dileep from the organization within two hours. That was the first and last time that the General Secretary of FEFKA utilized the powers given to the General Secretary by the FEFKA constitution without a special committee. As a trade union, Dileep, who was accused, was suspended from membership."
He added, "Today, he has been acquitted by the verdict. In that case, we are definitely asking the Directors Union to consider what further action should be taken regarding his membership. The Directors Union will take a decision on that issue. After seven or eight years of trial, an important actor like Dileep is returning to the professional field after being acquitted of the charges against him. But as we know, this is not just a matter of trial or arrest. It is also an incident that has redirected the Malayalam film industry in many directions. The incidents that followed the arrest have led to many limitations in the industry. We should not lose sight of that."
A fan wrote, "I don’t think today’s court verdict made any significant difference in the #actressassaultcase. Those who believe Dileep was behind everything will mostly continue to believe that, and those who have believed he is innocent from the beginning will continue to think so. And if not Dileep, then who? It’s a total shame for our police system and the state that they haven’t found the real culprit who planned and executed this, even after eight years. Always with the survivor."
Advocate Raman Pillai, lawyer of actor Dileep, said, "The court cannot pronounce any other verdict in this case. This is a fair judgement".
The Kerala government has decided to file an appeal against the trial court verdict in the 2017 actor assault case after the court acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep. Minister for Industries, Coir and Law, P Rajeev took to social media to announce the same. He wrote, “The state government has decided to file an appeal against the trial court verdict in the actress assault case. The matter has been discussed with the Honourable Chief Minister. The government stands with the survivor.”
Dubbing artiste Bhagyalakshmi told The Hindu, “I had forseen this four years ago. The fact that over 21 witnesses in the case turned hostile is, in itself, a proof of the clout wielded by actor Dileep. He must have used his immense financial resources to influence the witnesses in his favour. Yet, we held on to at least a one per cent hope in the judiciary, but this verdict has let us down,” she said.
“The court has convicted Pulsar Suni and others. It wasn’t the survivor who brought up the name of Dileep, but it was Suni. And if Dileep isn’t guilty, then who gave the quotation? That question still remains,” she said. Ms. Bhagyalekshmi added, “This is not the end. We will move forward; there are other courts too.”
Another X user by the name Truth.General questioned the court for all the harassment the actress went through since the day of the incident.
"Since there was no evidence, the court let off Dileep chettan. So who will give peace for all that the poor girl has endured mentally and physically all these days? "
An X user, who is not convinced with the court's verdict wrote: "I don’t think today’s court verdict made any significant difference in the #actressassaultcase. Those who believe Dileep was behind everything will mostly continue to believe that, and those who have believed he is innocent from the beginning will continue to think so."
The user added: "And if not Dileep, then who? It’s a total shame for our police system and the state that they haven’t found the real culprit who planned and executed this, even after eight years."
After the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions court pronounced its verdict in the case on Monday, December 8, netizens have been expressing their disappointment.
A user wrote: "The quotation team was arrested the same year and now after 8 years our system failed to prove anything. Justice delayed is a justice denial and on top now the criminal mind escaped. If not Dileep, then who gave the quotation?"
Kerala Law Minister P. Rajeev told reporters that the government will appeal against the trial court verdict in the actress abduction and assault case. He said, "The matter has been discussed with the chief minister and the decision is to move an appeal. The verdict will be studied in detail to find lapses, if any. The conspiracy could not be proved. The government is with the survivor and will ensure that she get justice."
Kerala Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian told reporters, "The State Government has always stood with the survivor. It has been the government’s stand, however mighty the accused might be. The government will take a decision on the next steps after studying the verdict."
Film editor and WCC co-founder Bina Paul told The Hindu: “The verdict is not very surprising, but I have belief in the judicial system. It might have a chilling effect for survivors in the future. Maybe the survivor will appeal if she is in a state to do that. We also have to look at how this case was a watershed moment, which changed a lot of things within the industry and the Kerala society. Her fight has led to questions being raised about gender and security within the industry leading to the Hema committee report. This battle is hard and long, which is why a lot of women choose not to engage. The fact that she spoke up and fought the case has changed a lot of things.”
In its first reaction since Dileep was acquitted in the 2017 Kerala actress abduction and assault case, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) noted that it respects the court's verdict. "Let the law take its course. AMMA respects the court," it wrote on social media.
After the verdict was pronounced, director Indu Lakshmi, known for helming the award-winning movie Appuram, shared a post on Instagram expressing her support for the survivor. "I stand with her in solidarity and in rage. Avalkoppam," the post read.
In a cryptic post on Instagram, actor Parvathy Thiruvothu, who has been standing by the survivor since day one, wrote, "Justice what? And now we watch a carefully crafted screenplay unfold so cruelly now."
Almost nine years after a Malayalam woman actor was abducted and assaulted in a moving car in Kochi, the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions court pronounced its verdict in the case on Monday. While actor Dileep, accused of conspiring and hiring a gang to execute the crime, was acquitted, six others, including prime accused Pulsar Suni, who directly committed the crime, were found guilty. Read full report here
The court of Ernakulam Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese acquitted actor Dileep in the 2017 Kerala actress abduction and assault case on Monday, December 8, marking the end of a nine-year legal battle. The court, however, found six others, including prime accused Pulsar Suni, guilty. But what was Dileep's alleged role in the case?
While exiting the court complex after appearing for the verdict, actor Dileep — who has been acquitted in the case — slammed the police, accusing them of conspiring against him. "The then high-ranking official and the criminal police officers she chose hunted me down. For this, the police team conspired with the main accused to create a fake story. The police team, with the help of media outlets that supported them, spread this fake story through social media. Today, the fabricated story the police created has collapsed in court. A conspiracy was hatched to make me the accused. The conspiracy was to destroy my career and life. I thank the families and friends who prayed for me and stood by me. I will be indebted to Adv Raman Pillai (his lawyer) for my entire life," Media One quoted Dileep as saying.
Minutes after Dileep was acquitted in the 2017 Kerala actress abduction and assault case, actors Rima Kallingal and Ramya Nambessan took to social media to extend solidarity with the survivor once again. On their respective Instagram feeds, they both shared a photo bearing the words "Avalkkoppam (with her)." Actors Parvathy Thiruvothu and Divya Gopinath also shared the same reactions.
Speaking to the media after the arrival of the verdict, former DGP B Sandhya said, "(To prove) conspiracy is always a challenge. It is learnt that the prosecution here couldn't prove conspiracy. However, one should keep in mind that this isn't the final verdict. There are top courts. The investigation team did an excellent and commendable job. The prosecutors also did their part well."
Actor Dileep (née P Gopalakrishnan) has been acquitted in the case. Meanwhile, accused one to six — Sunil Kumar alias "Pulsar" Suni, Martin Antony, B Manikandan, VP Vijesh, H Salim alias "Vadivaal" Salim, and Pradeep — have been found guilty.
The court proceedings are currently underway. Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese is checking whether all 10 accused persons have arrived in court.
As many as 10 people, including Malayalam actor Dileep, were named as accused by the investigating officers. They were reportedly charged under sections 120A (conspiracy), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 109 (abetment of offence), 366 (kidnapping or abducting a woman), 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with an intent to outrage her modesty), 354B (use of criminal force to disrobe a woman), 357 (use of criminal force to wrongfully confine a person), 376D (gang rape), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 212 (harbouring an offender) and 34 (common intention) of IPC.
With only a few minutes left before the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court delivers its verdict in the 2017 actress abduction and assault case, Kerala is eagerly awaiting the outcome. Here is how the case involving actor Dileep marked a significant turning point in the history of the Malayalam film industry.
A day before the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court was scheduled to pronounce the verdict in the 2017 Kerala actress abduction and assault case, the Women In Cinema Collective (WCC) shared a statement on social media, reiterating its allegiance to the survivor and extending its solidarity with her once again. Maintaining that the "journey of being a victim to becoming a survivor" was not easy, WCC also pointed out that she has been waiting for the past 3,215 days for justice.
WCC added, "Her fight has unleashed many tumultuous journeys for women in cinema, the Malayalam film industry and the state of Kerala. The impact has rippled through our collective conscience, and voices have risen for change. Much has to be said for the courage and resilience she has shown through it all, while upholding her faith in the system. Her fight is for every survivor. We stand by her, and every survivor who is watching, in solidarity. #avalkoppam"
In the 2017 actress abduction and assault case that shook Kerala, as many as 10 people were named as accused by the investigating officers. Here are the accused persons:
1) Sunil Kumar alias "Pulsar" Suni
2) Martin Antony
3) B Manikandan
4) VP Vijesh
5) H Salim alias "Vadivaal" Salim
6) Pradeep
7) Charly Thomas
8) Malayalam actor Dileep (née P Gopalakrishnan)
9) Sanil Kumar alias Mesthri Sanil
10) Sharath
Putting an end to a legal battle that had been going on for almost nine years, a Sessions court in Ernakulam will pronounce its verdict in the 2017 Malayalam actor abduction and assault case on today. Here is a timeline of the 2017 Malayalam actor abduction and assault case
Putting an end to a battle that has been going on for almost nine years, the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions will pronounce its verdict in the 2017 Kerala actress abduction and assault case on Monday, December 8. The court proceedings will begin at 11 am. Actor Dileep, who was accused of masterminding the crime, has reached the office of his lawyer. Judge Honey M Varghese, who will deliver the verdict in the case, has reached the court.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on the verdict.
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