The Kerala High Court on Monday admitted the appeal filed by the state government challenging the acquittal of actor Dileep and three others in the 2017 actress assault case, while also seeking enhanced punishment for the six convicted accused.
The state has challenged the acquittals of actor Dileep , Charly Thomas , Sanilkumar alias Mesthiri Sanil, and Sarath G. Nair , who were cleared of charges related to criminal conspiracy in connection with the case.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar is hearing the matter. The Bench is also considering appeals filed earlier by the convicted accused challenging their convictions and sentences.
During Monday’s proceedings, the court noted that Advocate V. Ajakumar has been appointed as the Special Public Prosecutor to represent the state. He had also led the prosecution before the trial court. The High Court directed that the trial court records be produced and posted the matter after two weeks for hearing petitions seeking suspension of sentences filed by the convicted accused, including prime accused Pulsar Suni.
As reported by Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No.1 Radio Station, the development marks a significant turn in one of Kerala’s most closely watched criminal cases.
In December last year, the Principal District and Sessions Court in Ernakulam sentenced six accused, including prime accused Sunil N.S., better known as Pulsar Suni, to 20 years of imprisonment. The convicted accused — Pulsar Suni (A1), Martin Antony (A2), B. Manikandan (A3), V.P. Vijeesh (A4), H. Saleem (A5), and C. Pradeep (A6) — were found guilty of offences including rape, conspiracy, abduction, and related charges.
However, the trial court acquitted Dileep and the three other accused, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish the alleged conspiracy behind the crime beyond reasonable doubt.
With the High Court now admitting the state’s appeal, the acquittals and the sentences awarded in the case will come under judicial review, setting the stage for the next phase of legal proceedings in the high-profile matter.
