After eight years of intense legal proceedings that gripped the Malayalam film industry and Kerala society, actor Dileep has been acquitted of all charges in the 2017 Kerala actress assault case. The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court delivered its landmark verdict on December 9, 2025, with Judge Honey M Varghese ruling that the prosecution failed to prove the conspiracy allegations against the prominent actor. While six others, including prime accused Pulsar Suni, were convicted on charges of gang rape and kidnapping, Dileep walked free, marking a dramatic conclusion to one of Malayalam cinema’s most controversial trials.
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The Verdict That Split Opinion
Judge Honey M Varghese announced the split verdict on Monday morning, convicting the first six accused while acquitting actor Dileep, who was listed as the eighth accused in the case. The court held that the prosecution could not establish that actor Dileep masterminded or facilitated the February 2017 attack on a popular Malayalam actress. Along with Dileep, three other accused were also acquitted, including Charlie Thomas, Sanil Kumar, and Sarath G Nair.
The convicted individuals include Sunilkumar NS alias Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh VP, Salim H, and Pradeep. They were found guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including gang rape under section 376D, kidnapping under section 366, wrongful confinement, outraging the modesty of a woman, and criminal conspiracy. The court cancelled their bail bonds and immediately remanded them to judicial custody, with sentencing scheduled for December 12, 2025.
The 2017 Incident That Shocked Malayalam Cinema
The case dates back to the night of February 17, 2017, when a well-known Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu actress was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi for a film shoot. Near Angamaly, a group of men intercepted her vehicle, forced their way inside, and took control of the car. The actress was allegedly held captive for approximately two hours while being driven along the national highway. During this time, investigators said, she was sexually assaulted while the attack was recorded on a mobile phone.
The incident sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry and Kerala society at large. The driver of the vehicle, Martin Antony, was arrested on February 18, 2017, followed by arrests of Vadival Salim, Pradeep, and Manikandan within days. Pulsar Suni, identified as the prime accused, surrendered to police along with Vijeesh on February 22-23, 2017. The first chargesheet was filed on April 18, 2017, naming seven accused, excluding Dileep at that stage.
Actor Dileep’s Arrest and Legal Battle
The investigation took a dramatic turn when authorities discovered that Pulsar Suni had allegedly sent a letter to actor Dileep from prison. On July 10, 2017, Dileep was arrested as the eighth accused, facing charges of criminal conspiracy, abduction, gang rape, and various offenses under the Information Technology Act. The prosecution alleged that Dileep orchestrated the assault as an act of revenge because the survivor had reportedly informed his then-wife, actress Manju Warrier, about his alleged extramarital affair.
Dileep spent approximately 80 to 85 days in custody before the Kerala High Court granted him bail. Throughout the legal proceedings, he consistently maintained his innocence and challenged the investigation multiple times, alleging bias and requesting that the Central Bureau of Investigation take over the probe. His requests were denied, and the case proceeded through the state’s judicial system.
The Eight-Year Trial
The trial officially began on March 8, 2018, and was conducted in-camera, meaning proceedings were closed to the public and press to protect the survivor’s identity. The case became one of Kerala’s lengthiest and most complex criminal proceedings, spanning over 700 days of hearings. The prosecution examined 261 witnesses and submitted 833 documents, making it one of the most documented trials in recent Kerala legal history.
However, the trial faced numerous obstacles. Twenty-eight witnesses turned hostile, retracting statements that were damaging to actor Dileep. Notable personalities from the film industry, including actors Bhama, Siddique, and Edavela Babu, initially supported the survivor’s account but later denied their statements in court. Two Special Public Prosecutors resigned during the proceedings, citing concerns about the conduct of the trial.
The survivor herself made multiple petitions to the Kerala High Court and Supreme Court seeking a change of judge, alleging a harrowing courtroom environment and retraumatization. While her requests were not granted, Judge Honey Varghese ensured she was given ample time to present her testimony and photographic evidence.
A significant development occurred in 2022 when filmmaker Balachandra Kumar released audio clips allegedly involving Dileep. The recordings suggested attempts to derail the trial and allegedly discussed plans to threaten the investigation team, leading to a fresh case against Dileep and five others. However, Balachandrakumar passed away in December 2024, causing further delays in the investigation.
Court’s Reasoning for Acquittal
In its detailed judgment, the court stated that the prosecution failed to prove the charge of criminal conspiracy under section 120B of the Indian Penal Code against actor Dileep. The alleged electronic evidence and phone records that were expected to establish the conspiracy link were deemed insufficient by the court. Dileep was also cleared of charges related to destruction of evidence under sections 201 and 204 of the IPC, as well as alleged offenses under the Information Technology Act for capturing and publishing sexually explicit material.
Following the judgment, the court cancelled Dileep’s bail bond and set him at liberty under section 235 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The actor became emotional upon hearing the verdict, with tears welling up in his eyes as he was congratulated by co-accused Sarath, who was standing next to him in the dock.
Dileep’s Response and Accusations
Outside the courtroom, a defiant actor Dileep addressed the media, claiming he had been the victim of a conspiracy to destroy his life and career. He alleged that the entire case was a fabricated story created by what he termed criminal police officers who colluded with certain media outlets to damage his image and reputation. Without naming individuals directly, Dileep referenced a top woman police officer and a group of investigators who he claimed acted against him with the support of the prime accused, who was his co-inmate in jail.
Dileep specifically criticized his ex-wife, actress Manju Warrier, stating that the entire conspiracy against him began with her statement suggesting there was a criminal conspiracy behind the assault that should be investigated. He thanked the crores of people who prayed for him and expressed gratitude to his lawyer, Senior Advocate B Raman Pillai. When Dileep reached his home in Aluva, his family members, including current wife actress Kavya Madhavan and daughter Mahalekshmi, welcomed him with warm embraces.
Industry and Political Reactions
The verdict triggered sharply divided reactions within the Malayalam film industry and Kerala’s political landscape. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) issued a statement respecting the court’s verdict, while Film Producers Association president B Rakesh stated that both he and the association had long believed in actor Dileep’s innocence while maintaining solidarity with the survivor.
Director Arun Gopy, who directed Dileep in the successful film Ramaleela, openly expressed happiness by sharing a photo with the actor and commenting about looking forward to the sunrise from today. AMMA vice-president Lakshmipriya said she was personally relieved by the verdict, maintaining she had always stood by Dileep throughout the case.
However, many prominent women in the industry expressed deep disappointment. The Women in Cinema Collective, formed in 2017 in the aftermath of the assault, released statements reaffirming solidarity with the survivor using the hashtag Avalkoppam, meaning with her. Actor and filmmaker Parvathy Thiruvothu, a founding member of WCC, posted on Instagram questioning justice what while describing the verdict as a carefully crafted screenplay unfolding cruelly. Fellow actors Rima Kallingal and Remya Nambeesan also shared messages of support for the survivor.
Voice artist Bhagyalakshmi expressed deep disappointment, calling the verdict a setback for everyone who stood firmly by the truth. She pointed out that it was the first accused Pulsar Suni, not the survivor, who originally claimed that actor Dileep had hired the gang. Witness Renju, who remained firm in her statement throughout the trial, expressed concerns about her own safety following the verdict, stating she had been sensing fear for days.
Government’s Appeal Plans
Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev stated that the survivor did not receive complete justice through the present verdict and announced that the state government would file an appeal. After conferring with the Chief Minister, Rajeev insisted the investigation had been thorough and that the government would continue to stand with the survivor. Retired IPS officer B Sandhya, who led the investigation, acknowledged the difficulty of proving conspiracy in high-profile cases but praised the probe for addressing systemic issues in the Malayalam film industry.
However, political divisions emerged even within the Congress party. UDF convenor and MP Adoor Prakash sharply criticized the government’s decision to appeal, calling it an attempt to target Dileep unnecessarily. The KPCC leadership distanced itself from his remarks, clarifying they were personal views not reflective of the party’s position. Several senior Congress leaders and women leaders publicly backed the government’s appeal decision, emphasizing that justice should prevail after nine years of ordeal.
The Kerala Actress Assault Case Legacy
The Kerala actress assault case profoundly impacted Malayalam cinema and Kerala society. The incident led to the formation of the Women in Cinema Collective in November 2017, an organization that advocates for safe, non-discriminatory, and professional workspaces for women in cinema. The case also contributed to the establishment of the Hema Committee, tasked with examining challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee’s report, submitted in 2019, became the basis for High Court directions asking the government to take action on systemic reforms.
The survivor’s courage in pursuing justice despite immense pressure and public scrutiny inspired countless others to speak up about workplace harassment and abuse. As WCC noted in statements before the verdict, the journey from victim to survivor spanned 3,215 days of waiting for justice. Her fight unleashed tumultuous journeys for women in cinema and rippled through Kerala’s collective conscience, causing voices to rise for change.
With sentencing for the six convicted men scheduled for December 12, 2025, and the state government preparing its appeal against actor Dileep’s acquittal, the Kerala actress assault case remains far from closed. The battle over truth, justice, and accountability in Malayalam cinema continues to shape conversations about gender, power, and institutional responsibility in Kerala and beyond.
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FAQs
What was actor Dileep accused of in the Kerala actress assault case?
Actor Dileep was accused of criminal conspiracy, alleging he masterminded and orchestrated the February 2017 abduction and sexual assault of a Malayalam actress as revenge. He faced charges under IPC sections including conspiracy, gang rape, kidnapping, and offenses under the Information Technology Act. The prosecution claimed he hired a gang led by Pulsar Suni to execute the crime.
Why was Dileep acquitted in the Kerala actress assault case?
The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the criminal conspiracy charge under section 120B of the IPC against Dileep. The court found insufficient evidence to establish that he masterminded or facilitated the attack. Electronic evidence and phone records presented by the prosecution were deemed inadequate to prove his involvement beyond reasonable doubt.
Who were convicted in the Kerala actress assault case?
Six accused were convicted including prime accused Sunilkumar NS alias Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh VP, Salim H, and Pradeep. They were found guilty of gang rape, kidnapping, wrongful confinement, outraging modesty, and criminal conspiracy. Their sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2025.
Will there be an appeal against Dileep’s acquittal?
Yes, Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev announced that the state government will file an appeal against the acquittal of Dileep and three other accused. The government stated it will continue standing with the survivor and believes the prosecution was thorough despite the trial court’s verdict.
What was the impact of the Kerala actress assault case on Malayalam cinema?
The case led to the formation of the Women in Cinema Collective in 2017 and contributed to establishing the Hema Committee to examine challenges faced by women in Malayalam cinema. It sparked industry-wide debates about gender, power dynamics, workplace safety, and accountability, bringing systemic issues into public discourse and inspiring reforms.
