Kerala High Court Admits Appeals of Three Convicts in 2017 Actor Assault Case
The Kerala High Court in Kochi has taken a significant step in the ongoing legal proceedings of the high-profile 2017 actor assault case. On Wednesday, the court admitted the appeals filed by three convicts – Martin Antony, H Salim, and Pradeep – who were previously sentenced by the trial court. The bench has adjourned the matter to March 31, 2024, to provide the prosecution with sufficient time to file its detailed objections against these appeals.
Background of the Case and Trial Court Verdict
Earlier, the principal sessions court in Ernakulam delivered a landmark verdict in this sensitive case. The court convicted and sentenced six accused individuals to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, accompanied by substantial fines. However, in a notable development, the trial court acquitted four other accused, including prominent actor Dileep, who was listed as the eighth accused in the case. This acquittal has become a central point of contention in the current appeals.
Arguments Presented by the Convicts in Their Appeals
In his appeal, Martin Antony has raised critical legal arguments challenging the basis of his conviction. He contends that there was no specific allegation of sexual assault leveled against him, nor was there any evidence placing him at the scene of the crime at the time of the assault. According to Antony, the prosecution's case against him was confined solely to an alleged conspiracy. He further argues that similar conspiracy allegations were made against actor Dileep, yet Dileep was acquitted by the trial court, creating an inconsistency in the judicial outcome.
Similarly, H Salim and Pradeep have echoed these arguments in their respective appeals. They maintain that the primary allegation against them was their purported involvement in a conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by Pulsar Suni and Dileep. Since Dileep has been acquitted by the trial court, they argue that the foundation of the conspiracy case against them has been significantly weakened. Both Salim and Pradeep emphasize that they were not involved in any direct act of sexual assault, and the sole allegation pertains to the alleged conspiracy.
Parallel Proceedings Involving Prime Accused
In a related development, another single bench of the Kerala High Court addressed the appeal filed by Pulsar Suni, alias N S Sunil, who is considered the prime accused in the case. On Tuesday, the bench adjourned Suni's appeal to March 3, 2024, for further consideration. This indicates that multiple appeals stemming from the 2017 actor assault case are concurrently moving through the higher judiciary, each raising distinct legal questions and challenges.
The admission of these appeals by the Kerala High Court marks a crucial phase in the post-conviction legal battle. It underscores the complexities involved in cases where convictions are based primarily on conspiracy charges, especially when co-accused individuals have been acquitted on similar grounds. The upcoming hearings on March 31 and March 3 will be closely watched, as they could have significant implications for the final outcome of this long-standing and highly publicized case.
