The long-awaited verdict in the high-profile 2017 Malayalam actor abduction and sexual assault case is set to be delivered on Monday. The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court will pronounce its judgment, bringing a pivotal moment in a legal saga that has gripped Kerala and the Indian film industry for over seven years.
The Case and the Key Accused
District and Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese will read out the judgment concerning ten individuals accused in the case. The most prominent name among them is popular actor Dileep, who is accused of masterminding the conspiracy. The prime accused is Sunil N S, alias Pulsar Suni, the alleged leader of the gang that executed the crime. The other accused named in the order are Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh V P, Salim H alias Vadival Salim, Pradeep, Charly Thomas, Sanilkumar alias Mesthiri Sanil, and G Sarath.
The charges against them are severe and numerous. They face prosecution under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including criminal conspiracy, abduction, wrongful confinement, outraging a woman's modesty, gang rape, criminal intimidation, and destruction of evidence. The specific sections invoked are 120(A), 120(B), 109, 342, 357, 366, 354, 354(B), 376(D), 506(i), 201, 212, and 34.
A Timeline of the Shocking Crime and Trial
The incident that sparked this complex case occurred on February 17, 2017. A well-known actress was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi when her vehicle was intercepted. According to the prosecution, the gang, having tracked her movement, staged a fake accident near Athani at around 9:15 PM. They then entered her car, confined her, and drove away.
The prosecution alleges that Pulsar Suni threatened the survivor, sexually assaulted her, and recorded the act on a mobile phone. The investigation later pointed to a conspiracy, with actor Dileep allegedly orchestrating the attack. The motive, as per the chargesheet filed in November 2022, was a personal grudge. It was alleged that Dileep wanted revenge because the survivor had informed his former wife, actor Manju Warrier, about his extramarital affair.
A Marathon Legal Battle Reaches Its Climax
The trial in this sensational case officially began on March 8, 2018. What followed was a protracted legal process marked by numerous twists and challenges. The court examined a staggering 261 witnesses, including several prominent film personalities, in camera. Notably, 28 of these witnesses turned hostile during the course of the trial.
The prosecution's journey was not smooth, with two special prosecutors resigning over the years. The survivor also approached higher courts seeking a change in the presiding officer, though unsuccessfully. After 438 days dedicated solely to witness examination, the trial concluded with the prosecution submitting 833 documents and 142 material objects as evidence. The defence, in turn, presented 221 documents.
As the court prepares to deliver its verdict, the judgment will not only decide the fate of the ten accused but also mark a critical juncture in a case that has raised serious questions about justice, power, and the safety of women in the public eye.
