Actor Dileep acquitted in 2017 Kerala actress sexual assault and abduction case, 6 others found guilty
‘This was a fabricated case to destroy my career and image… A prominent police officer and a gang of criminal police have created this,’ the actor said later
The district sessions court in Ernakulam on Monday acquitted actor Dileep in the 2017 case related to the abduction and sexual assault of an actor in a moving vehicle. However, the court found the first six accused persons guilty, and the quantum of punishment will be pronounced on December 12.
Those found guilty include Pulsar Suni, 37, a driver with close links to the film industry. The other five accused persons were also in the moving vehicle while the actor was being assaulted: Martin Antony, 33, is a driver with a studio in Kochi; B Manikandan, 37, is also a driver; Vijeesh V P, 38, is an electrician, while Salim H, 30, and Pradeep, 31, are bus crew.
They were also charged with gang rape, conspiracy, outraging the modesty of a woman, wrongful confinement, use of criminal force, destruction of evidence, and taking and distributing obscene images under relevant Indian Penal Code Sections.
Emerging from the court, Dileep told the media, “This was a fabricated case to destroy my career and image… A prominent police officer and a gang of criminal police have created this. This police gang had fabricated a story with the help of a few media, and spread the story. Today, that fabricated story has collapsed. The real conspiracy was to make an accused in the case. I thank all the people who prayed for me, and the lawyers who have defended me in the last eight years.”
Apart from Dileep, the court also acquitted Charlie Thomas, Sanil Kumar alias Mestri Sanil, and Sarath Nair. Charlie had been accused of providing a hideout for other accused after the incident. Sanil had faced charges of conspiring with Pulsur Sunil in jail to extract money by threatening Dileep. Sarath faced charges for handing over and destroying the visuals of the sexual assault. The court had declared three other accused, Vishnu, Vipinlal and Aneesh, as approvers.
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Kerala law minister P Rajeev told media that the government will appeal against the trial court verdict in the actor abduction case. “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 gets justice.”
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
