Kerala Court Acquits Actor Dileep in 2017 Assault Case After Eight-Year Trial; Six Convicted

December 8, 2025

Kerala: A Kerala court on Monday acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 actor assault case after the prosecution failed to prove his role in the alleged criminal conspiracy. The verdict was delivered by Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese at 11 am.

While Dileep was cleared of all charges, the court convicted six other accused for criminal conspiracy, wrongful confinement, assault with intent to outrage modesty, abduction, attempt to disrobe and gang rape. Their sentencing has been scheduled for December 12.

Dileep had faced charges of criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence. He was listed as Accused No. 8 in the case.

Dileep Claims False Case and Media Trial

Reacting to the verdict, Dileep thanked those who stood by him during the nearly nine-year legal battle and alleged that the case against him was the result of a “criminal conspiracy” initially flagged by his former wife, actor Manju Warrier.

He further claimed that a senior police officer and a team later “implemented” the conspiracy by fabricating false evidence with the help of the prime accused and circulating the narrative through media and social platforms.

“They got together with the prime accused [Pulsar Suni] and his jail mates to concoct a fake story against me. My image and life were ruined for nearly nine years, but the fake story collapsed in court,” he said.

Kerala Government to Challenge Verdict

The Kerala government announced that it will file an appeal against the sessions court verdict. Law Minister P Rajeev held discussions with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, after which the prosecution was directed to initiate preliminary steps for filing the appeal.

CPM state secretary M V Govindan said the court had found several accused guilty but ruled that the larger conspiracy was not proved. He added that the government stands firmly with the survivor and will approach higher courts.

Case Background

The case relates to the abduction and sexual assault of a leading Malayalam actor inside her car in Kochi on February 17, 2017, during which she was allegedly assaulted for nearly two hours.

A total of 10 accused, including Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh VP, Salim H, Pradeep, Charly Thomas, Sanil Kumar alias Mesthri Sanil, and Sharath, were put on trial. All were charged under multiple sections of the IPC, including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, sexual assault, gang rape, destruction of evidence and common intention, along with provisions of the IT Act.

Dileep also faced an additional charge of destroying evidence.

Investigation and Trial

Police filed the first chargesheet in April 2017. Dileep was arrested in July 2017 after investigators alleged that Pulsar Suni had sent him a letter from jail. He was later granted bail in October 2017.

A supplementary chargesheet was filed later that year, while some accused were discharged or turned approvers.

In 2018, Dileep sought a CBI probe alleging police bias, but the plea was rejected. His appeal was again dismissed earlier this year as the trial neared completion.

In 2021, further investigation was ordered after filmmaker Balachandra Kumar alleged that Dileep possessed visuals of the assault. In 2022, allegations of illegal access to the survivor’s memory card led to a High Court-ordered probe and fresh guidelines on handling sexually explicit evidence.

During the trial, 261 witnesses were examined, including several film industry figures, many of whom turned hostile. The investigation officer alone was examined for 109 days. The court admitted 834 documents and examined two defence witnesses. Two key witnesses — former MLA P T Thomas and director Balachandra Kumar — died during the trial.

Broader Impact on Malayalam Film Industry

In May 2017, the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) launched the “Avalkoppam” (We Stand With Her) campaign in support of the survivor amid industry backlash.

The case also led to the formation of the Justice Hema Committee, whose 2024 report confirmed widespread sexual exploitation in the Malayalam film industry, triggering institutional reforms including the creation of an internal complaints committee by the Kerala State Film Employees Federation.