The Kerala High Court on Friday sought the state government’s stand on the appeals filed by two convicts in the 2017 actress assault case, in which actor Dileep was acquitted earlier this month.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas admitted the appeals filed by Pradeep and Saleem H, also known as Vadival Salim, who were sentenced to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment by the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court. The two convicts have challenged both their conviction and sentence and have also sought suspension of their sentence during the pendency of the appeals.
The High Court granted time to the prosecution to file its objections and posted the matter for further hearing on February 4, 2026.
On December 12, Sessions Court Judge Honey M Varghese had sentenced six accused to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the offence of gang rape. Apart from Pradeep and Saleem, those convicted include Sunil N S, also known as Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, and Vijesh V P.
Earlier, on December 8, the trial court had acquitted four accused in the case, including actor Dileep.
The case relates to the assault of a multilingual actress on February 17, 2017, when the accused allegedly forced their way into her car, restrained her for nearly two hours, and sexually assaulted her while the vehicle was in motion. The incident had triggered widespread outrage across Kerala.
According to the prosecution case, prime accused Pulsar Suni sexually assaulted the actress and video-recorded the act with the assistance of the other convicted persons.
The appeals and the plea for suspension of sentence will be considered by the High Court after the prosecution files its response.
