KOCHI: A Kerala sessions court on Monday acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 abduction and sexual assault case involving a fellow actor, ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove the charge of criminal conspiracy. The court observed that investigators could not establish that Dileep plotted the crime carried out by a six-member gang led by Sunil NS, known as Pulsar Suni.
While Dileep was cleared of all charges — including criminal conspiracy, gang rape, destruction of evidence and IT Act violations — the gang that assaulted the actor in a moving vehicle on 17 February 2017 was convicted of gang rape and related offences. Their sentencing is scheduled for 12 December.
Dileep’s friend G Sarath, accused of evidence tampering, and two others charged with aiding the crime were also acquitted.
Timeline of the Case- 17 February 2017: A gang abducts and sexually assaults a well-known actor in a moving vehicle.
- 18 February: Prime accused Pulsar Suni allegedly hands over visuals of the assault to a lawyer.
- 23 February: Police arrest Suni inside the Additional Chief Magistrate Court as he attempts to surrender.
- 28 February: A police search in Vembanad Lake for Suni’s mobile phone proves futile.
- 4 March: Suni refuses permission for a narco-analysis test.
- 18 April: Police file the chargesheet before the Angamaly JFCM court.
- 24 June: Dileep alleges Suni had been blackmailing him and demanding ?1.5 crore.
- 26 June: In a social media post, Dileep claims he is innocent.
- 10 July: Dileep is arrested and remanded in judicial custody until 25 July.
- 29 August: The High Court rejects his second bail plea.
- 10 October: Dileep secures bail after 85 days in jail.
- 25 February 2019: The High Court assigns the trial to the then Ernakulam CBI Court under Judge Honey M Varghese.
- 21 March: Trial hearings begin; several witnesses later turn hostile in 2020.
Judicial and Procedural Delays- 20 November: The High Court dismisses petitions by the survivor and prosecution alleging bias by the judge.
- 23 November: Special Public Prosecutor A Sureshan resigns.
- 4 January 2021: V N Anilkumar takes charge as the new prosecutor; he resigns on 29 December.
Further Investigations and Legal Moves- 4 January 2022: Police report claims by director P Balachandrakumar that Dileep viewed the assault visuals.
- 5 January: A new case is filed against Dileep for allegedly conspiring to harm the investigating officer.
- 7 February: Dileep gets anticipatory bail.
- 3 August: The case is heard before the Additional Special Sessions Court after Judge Honey M Varghese is transferred to the Principal Sessions Court, Ernakulam.
- 18 July: V Ajakumar becomes the new prosecutor.
- 6 August: Prosecution objects to the transfer.
- 22 September: The High Court dismisses the survivor’s plea to shift the case back to the special court.
- 21 October: The Supreme Court rejects the survivor’s request for a court change.
- 31 October: Fresh charges are framed following further probe.
Memory Card Access Controversy- 7 December 2023: The High Court orders an inquiry into the survivor’s allegation of unauthorised access to the memory card containing the assault visuals. The inquiry confirms that a former Angamaly magistrate and two court employees accessed it.
- 21 February 2024: The High Court directs that the inquiry report be given to the survivor.
- 13 October: The survivor posts that the unauthorised access was “unfair and shocking”.
- 14 October: The High Court rejects the plea seeking an SIT probe into the unauthorised access.
End of Trial- 23 January 2025: The Principal Sessions Court completes final hearings.
- 10 February 2025 (Monday): Dileep is acquitted; the gang is convicted.
The verdict has triggered sharp reactions from women’s rights groups, who argue that the prosecution failed the survivor. The state government has indicated it will file an appeal after examining the full judgment.
Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here
Expand
Start a Conversation
Post comment