Kochi: The 2017 actress assault case has returned to the centre of legal attention after the Kerala High Court on Monday admitted the state government’s appeal challenging the acquittal of actor Dileep and three others, while also seeking enhancement of the sentences awarded to those convicted.
The appeal, filed during the tenure of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, has moved to the next stage after a Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar took up the matter for consideration.
The state has challenged the acquittal of Dileep, the eighth accused in the case, along with accused Nos. 7, Charly Thomas; 9, Sanilkumar alias Mesthiri Sanil; and 15, Sarath G. Nair.
The prosecution has alleged that the accused were involved in the criminal conspiracy behind the abduction and assault of the actor.
The Division Bench is also hearing appeals filed by the convicted accused, who have challenged their conviction and sentences.
During Monday’s hearing, the court noted the appointment of senior advocate V. Ajakumar as the Special Public Prosecutor representing the state. He had earlier argued the case before the trial court as well.
The High Court directed that the trial court records be produced before it and posted the matter after two weeks for hearing the sentence suspension petitions filed by the convicts, including prime accused Sunil N.S. alias Pulsar Suni.
In December, the Principal District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam, had convicted six accused in the case and sentenced them to 20 years of imprisonment.
However, the court acquitted Dileep, who was accused by the prosecution of being the alleged mastermind behind the conspiracy, stating that the prosecution failed to prove the conspiracy charge against him beyond reasonable doubt.
The verdict had triggered widespread debate due to the high-profile nature of the case and the survivor’s prolonged legal battle.
The February 2017 incident, in which a leading woman actor was allegedly abducted while travelling from Thrissur to Kochi and assaulted inside a moving vehicle, had sent shockwaves across Kerala’s film industry and the public sphere.
With both the state and the convicted accused now before the High Court, the case has entered another crucial phase, with the appellate proceedings expected to bring renewed scrutiny on the evidence, investigation and legal arguments surrounding one of Kerala’s most closely followed criminal cases.
With IANS inputs