The Kerala government on Friday moved the state high court challenging the acquittal of actor Dileep and three others by a trial court in the actress’s 2017 kidnapping and gang-rape case.
In December last year, the Ernakulam Chief Sessions Court found Dileep and three others not guilty in the case, noting that the prosecution was unable to prove charges of criminal conspiracy against the actor.
However, the court found six others, including first accused Sunil NS aka ‘Pulsar’ Soni, guilty of crimes, including gang rape, kidnapping and conspiracy. The court later sentenced them to 20 years in prison.
Dilip’s acquittal in this case sparked strong reactions from many within civil society and political spheres. State Law Minister P Rajeev had confirmed in December that the state would challenge his acquittal by the court.
Apart from Dileep, the state moved the high court to reconsider the acquittal of three other accused – Charlie Thomas, Sanil Kumar and Sarath G Nair. In its appeal, the state also sought enhancement of the sentence given to the six convicts, including Sunil NS.
Meanwhile, the six convicts approached the Supreme Court to challenge their conviction.
On February 17, 2017, a leading Malayalam actress was kidnapped while on her way from Thrissur to Kochi, and sexually assaulted inside a moving car. The assault was also captured on video by the six-member gang headed by “Pulsar” Soni. The prosecution argued that the kidnapping and gang rape of the actress was carried out on the instructions of Dileep who was allegedly resentful of her for her involvement in his separation and eventual divorce from actress Manju Warrier.
On December 8, Ernakulam Chief Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese Dileep acquitted of conspiracy in the case while finding six accused – Sunil NS, Martin Antony, P Manikandan, VP Vijesh, H Salim and Pradeep – guilty of charges including gang rape, kidnapping, intent to outrage the modesty of women and conspiracy.
