In a significant and highly anticipated verdict that concludes a nearly eight-year-long legal battle, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Monday acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep (P. Gopalakrishnan) of all charges in the sensational 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case. Dileep, who was the eighth accused in the case, was primarily charged with criminal conspiracy and abetment of the crime. The court, presided over by Judge Honey M. Varghese, ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish the conspiracy charge against the prominent film personality, allowing him to walk free.
Six Accused Found Guilty, Sentencing Awaits
While the charge of conspiracy against Dileep collapsed, the court simultaneously held six other accused as guilty for their direct involvement in the crime. The convicted individuals include the prime accused, Sunil N. S. alias 'Pulsar Suni', along with Martin Antony, Manikandan B., Vijeesh V. P., Salim H., and Pradeep. These individuals were found guilty of charges including abduction, wrongful confinement, sexual assault, and gang rape. The court has scheduled the hearing for the quantum of punishment for these convicted individuals for December 12.
Actor Alleges "Conspiracy" After Acquittal
Speaking to the media immediately after his acquittal, actor Dileep expressed his deep gratitude to the Almighty, his legal team, and his supporters. He, however, vehemently alleged that the case against him was a result of a deep-seated conspiracy orchestrated by a section of the police and media. “Truth has won. The real conspiracy in this case was to make me the accused, to destroy my career, my image, and my life in society,” Dileep stated outside the court premises. He further claimed that a 'false story' created by the investigating team had now been exposed and failed in court, extending his "gratitude to all" who stood by him.
The Case that Rocked the Film Industry
The case dates back to February 17, 2017, when a leading Malayalam actress was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving car in Kochi by a gang of men who also recorded the act. The shocking nature of the crime and the subsequent arrest of a major film star like Dileep, alleged to have masterminded the plot, sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry and across the nation. The trial was marked by complexity, with 261 witnesses examined, many turning hostile, and several legal challenges, including attempts to change the presiding judge.
A Watershed Moment for Women in Cinema
Despite the acquittal on the conspiracy charge, the case remains a watershed moment for the Malayalam film industry. The courage and resilience of the survivor in pursuing the case spurred the formation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an organization dedicated to ensuring gender justice and safety within the film industry. While the verdict is a major setback for the prosecution's conspiracy theory, activists and members of the WCC have expressed continued solidarity with the survivor, reiterating the importance of her fight in sparking conversations about misogyny and accountability in cinema.
