Kochi (Kerala), December 8 : A Kerala trial court on Monday acquitted prominent Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 actress rape and abduction case. The court, which had earlier reserved its judgment for December 12, delivered the verdict early, clearing the actor of all allegations.

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Speaking outside the court following the announcement, Dileep expressed relief, stating, “There was a conspiracy to defame me in society, to defame my career, my image, and destroy my life.”

The Verdict

Judge Honey M. Varghese of the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court pronounced the verdict in the long-running trial. Dileep, who was named as the eighth accused in the case, was found not guilty of the allegation that he orchestrated the assault. The prosecution had accused Dileep of conspiring and hiring a criminal gang to execute the crime as a form of personal vendetta.

Case Background

The case dates back to February 17, 2017, when a prominent actress who worked in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car. A group of men forced their way into her vehicle while she was traveling from Thrissur to Kochi.

Sunil NS, widely known as “Pulsar Suni,” is the first accused and is alleged to have orchestrated the abduction and assault. Other individuals facing trial alongside Dileep included Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh VP, Salim H (alias Vadival Salim), Pradeep, Charly Thomas, Sanilkumar (alias Mesthiri Sanil), and G. Sarath.

Charges and Trial Details

The trial involved a wide range of IPC sections, including:

• Criminal conspiracy (120A, 120B)

• Abetment (109)

• Wrongful confinement (342, 357)

• Kidnapping (366)

• Outraging modesty and attempt to disrobe (354, 354B)

• Gang rape (376D)

• Criminal intimidation (506(i))

• Destruction of evidence (201)

The trial, which commenced on March 8, 2018, was exceptionally complex. Over the course of the proceedings:

• 261 witnesses were examined, including several high-profile film personalities.

• 28 witnesses turned hostile during the trial.

• The prosecution submitted 833 documents and 142 material objects.

• The defense produced 221 documents.

• Witness examination alone spanned 438 days.

Despite the length of the case and the controversies surrounding the resignation of two special prosecutors, the court concluded that the evidence was insufficient to prove Dileep’s involvement in the conspiracy.