Malayalam Actor Dileep Acquitted in High-Profile 2017 Actress Assault Case After Eight-Year Legal Battle

Thiruvananthapuram: A Kerala court on Monday delivered a verdict acquitting actor Dileep in the 2017 case involving the abduction and rape of a prominent actress.

The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court determined that the prosecution failed to establish Dileep's involvement in the crime. However, six other defendants were found guilty of rape and conspiracy charges.

Three additional individuals who stood trial alongside Dileep were also cleared of all charges.

Following the announcement of the verdict, Dileep, who was present in the courtroom, stated, "This was a conspiracy against me. I thank all the lawyers and everybody else who helped me..."

The trial included ten defendants in total: Sunil NS (Pulsar Suni), Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh VP, Salim H, Pradeep, Charly Thomas, Sanil Kumar (Mesthri Sanil), and Sharath. Of these individuals, the first six were convicted.

The survivor, whose determination in pursuing justice has gained national recognition, was also present during the verdict announcement.

This ruling concludes nearly eight years of extended legal proceedings following the February 2017 abduction and assault of a well-known Malayalam actress.

The incident occurred on February 17 when the actress, who has worked in both Malayalam and Tamil film industries, was kidnapped and sexually assaulted in her car for two hours by a group of assailants who subsequently fled the scene.

Prosecutors alleged the attack was part of a criminal conspiracy, with Dileep accused of orchestrating the crime. In October, they further accused him of destroying evidence.

Throughout the proceedings, Dileep consistently maintained his innocence.

During the trial, several key witnesses recanted their testimonies, significantly weakening the prosecution's case.

The court examined 261 witnesses in total, including notable film personalities, with 28 of them turning hostile. Over the years, two special prosecutors resigned, and the survivor's request for a different presiding judge was rejected. The prosecution presented 833 documents and 142 material objects, while the defense submitted 221 documents. The witness examination process alone extended over 438 days.

With input from agencies

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