The Kerala government is set to appeal the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court's verdict in the 2017 actress assault case, specifically challenging the acquittal of actor Dileep and three others. Sources within the Director General of Prosecution's office confirmed that the state government has approved the appeal against the district court judgment. The appeal is expected to be filed soon after the Kerala High Court's Christmas vacation.
Special Public Prosecutor V Aja Kumar stated that he had submitted a detailed report to the Director General of Prosecution, which was then forwarded to the state government. Kumar emphasized the government's stance that no time should be wasted in filing the appeal and that he has thoroughly examined the judgment and prepared the grounds for the appeal.
The state plans to challenge the Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court's sentence awarded to the six accused persons, including prime accused Pulsar Suni. The prosecution will also contest the acquittal of Dileep, Charley Thomas, Sanilkumar (Mesthiri Sanil), and Sarath G. Nair, questioning the trial court's dismissal of conspiracy charges. The prosecution argues that the trial court relied on the testimonies of approximately 60 witnesses to convict six accused but rejected the same evidence while acquitting the remaining accused.
On December 8, 2025, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court acquitted Dileep (P. Gopalakrishnan), stating that the prosecution failed to prove the conspiracy charges against him. Judge Honey M Varghese delivered the verdict after an eight-year-long trial. While Dileep was acquitted, the court convicted six others who directly committed the crime. Those convicted include Sunil NS, alias Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, B. Manikandan, Vijeesh V.P., Salim H., and Pradeep. They were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for gang rape and other offenses under the Indian Penal Code. The court also directed that the victim be paid a compensation of Rs 5 lakh.
The 2017 case involved the abduction and sexual assault of a prominent Malayalam actress in a moving car on February 17, 2017. The crime was allegedly recorded on a mobile phone. Dileep was arrested in July 2017 on allegations of conspiracy.
Following his acquittal, a Kochi court ordered the release of Dileep's passport, which he had surrendered in 2017 as part of his bail conditions. The Special Public Prosecutor initially opposed the plea, stating the prosecution intended to file an appeal, but later raised no objection.
The survivor in the case expressed her disappointment with the verdict on social media. Law Minister P Rajeeve stated that the government stands firmly with the survivor and will take all necessary legal steps to ensure justice is pursued to its fullest extent. The investigation team maintains that the evidence against Dileep is strong and that the verdict can be overturned in higher courts. The government has reiterated its commitment to supporting the survivor and upholding her faith in the justice system.
