Kochi: In a major development in the high-profile 2017 actress assault case, the Kerala High Court has admitted the Kerala government’s appeal challenging the trial court verdict and issued notices to actor Dileep and other accused who were acquitted. The notice has been sent through the Nedumbassery Station House Officer. The state’s appeal strongly questions the trial court’s decision to clear Dileep, who was listed as the eighth accused in the case, along with several others.
The government has submitted a 300-page appeal highlighting what it calls serious lapses in the trial court’s judgment. According to the petition, the court failed to properly assess crucial facts and legal aspects of the case. The appeal argues that acquitting the accused, including Dileep, was legally flawed and sends a wrong message to society. The state has requested the High Court to overturn the acquittal and impose punishment on those cleared earlier.
The plea also seeks maximum punishment for the six accused already convicted in the case, including the prime accused Pulsar Suni. The trial court had earlier acquitted Dileep, Charlie Thomas, Mesthiri Sunil and Sharath citing lack of evidence for conspiracy, while sentencing the first six accused to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The shocking incident took place on February 17, 2017, in Kochi, when a Malayalam actress was allegedly abducted and assaulted inside a moving vehicle. The trial court delivered its verdict on December 8, 2025, bringing one phase of the long legal battle to a close, while the latest appeal now sets the stage for a fresh legal fight in the High Court.
