Dileep Walks Free: Ernakulam Court Acquits Malayalam Star in 8-Year Actress Abduction Trial, Convicts Pulsar Suni Gang
Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court acquitted prominent Malayalam actor Dileep, the eighth accused, in the sensational 2017 abduction and sexual assault of a leading actress, ruling that prosecution failed to establish his role in the alleged conspiracy. Six prime accused, including key perpetrator Pulsar Suni (Sunil NS), were held guilty of gang rape, wrongful confinement, and related offences after an exhaustive trial involving 261 witnesses.
Case Origins: February 2017 Kochi Horror
On February 17, 2017, assailants hijacked the actress’s car in Kochi, subjecting her to two hours of captivity, assault, and filming inside the moving vehicle before releasing her. Police charged 10 individuals under IPC sections for kidnapping, gang rape, conspiracy, and IT Act violations; three turned approvers while others faced trial.
Dileep, arrested in July 2017 after jail correspondence allegations, spent three months in custody before bail. The court examined 834 documents over years, noting hostile witnesses and unrecovered memory card evidence.
Reactions and Next Steps
- Dileep hails verdict as triumph over “fabricated narrative” by police and media, thanks supporters.
- Convicted: Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh VP, Salim H, Pradeep; remanded to Viyyur jail.
- State to challenge acquittal; survivor backed by CPI(M) govt.
The ruling reignites debates on celebrity justice and evidence integrity in high-stakes cases.
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