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‘It was after Manju’s statement…’: Why Dileep mentioned ex-wife Manju Warrier in his first comments after acquittal

Warrier is one of Malayalam cinema’s most well-known actors. In 2017, two days after an actress was sexually assaulted in a moving car, Warrier had alleged that it was the result of a criminal conspiracy

2 min readThiruvananthapuramUpdated: Dec 8, 2025 02:33 PM IST

Malayalam actor Dileep with his lawyers after he was acquitted by a Kerala court in the 2017 actress attack case. (Photo: ieMalayalam)

Minutes after he was acquitted in the 2017 assault case, Malayalam actor Dileep emerged from the district sessions court in Ernakulam to a sea of people, including media persons and jubilant supporters, and made a statement. The first thing he said: “It was after Manju’s statement that there was a criminal conspiracy in the (actor’s sexual assault) case that a conspiracy began against me.”

He was referring to Manju Warrier, one of Malayalam cinema’s most well-known actors and Dileep’s ex-wife.

Dileep had been an accused in the abduction and sexual assault of a Malayalam actress in a moving vehicle on February 17, 2017. On Monday, the Ernakulam sessions court convicted six of those accused in the case, but acquitted Dileep, who had been accused of criminal conspiracy.

Two days after the actor was assaulted in 2017, Malayalam film industry professionals gathered in Kochi to protest against the crime. It was then that Manju Warrier raised the prospect that the incident could be the result of a conspiracy.

Warrier, who was among other eminent film professionals who spoke at the protest, had said, “It is very difficult to express through words what I feel. I met her yesterday after I heard about the incident. I am proud of her as she is fighting back.”

“Whoever is behind this criminal conspiracy should be brought to light,” she said. The same day, the victim filed a complaint.

Five months later, Dileep was arrested in the case, accused of having conspired with Pulsar Suni, a history-sheeter known to be close to many in the film industry and the first accused in the case, to allegedly sexually assault the victim and record the act.

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The prosecution alleged that Dileep’s motive was revenge, claiming that he held the victim responsible for wrecking his marriage with Manju Warrier.

Dileep spent 85 days in Aluva jail before walking out on bail. Pulsar Suni is one of the six men who have been pronounced guilty.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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