Dileep's First Reaction To Court's Verdict On Sexual Assault Case

In a long-awaited verdict that concludes an almost eight-year legal battle, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Monday acquitted prominent Malayalam film actor and producer Dileep of all charges related to the alleged conspiracy in the 2017 actress assault case.

District and Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese pronounced the judgment, finding Dileep (Accused No. 8) not guilty of the allegation that he orchestrated the sexual assault and abduction of a leading female actor.

However, the same court convicted the principal accused, Sunil NS, alias 'Pulsar Suni,' and five others for the actual crime, including offenses of gang rape, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. Sentencing for the convicted individuals is scheduled for December 12.

Dileep's First Reaction To The Verdict

Upon walking out of the courtroom, a visibly relieved Dileep addressed the gathered media, reserving his sharpest criticism for the investigating authorities. He pointed his fingers at his ex-wife and actress Manju Warrier for giving a conspiracy theory about the incident.

"The conspiracy against me began after Manju claimed there was a conspiracy behind the case," he said.

"The police made up a false case with the help of the other accused and then used a section of the media to propagate the story," Onmanorama quoted Dileep as stating..

"Today that story has crumbled in the court. The real conspiracy in this case was to frame me, to ruin my film career, my life." The actor claimed that the case against him was fabricated, an allegation he has maintained since his arrest in July 2017.

He was arrested after investigators alleged that he had conspired with the prime accused, Suni, to humiliate the actress by hiring him to commit the crime. Dileep spent 85 days in judicial custody before being granted conditional bail.He thanked his family, friends, and legal team for their unwavering support throughout the trial.

"Let me speak. I thank my family and my friends who have stood by me, those who have prayed for me and my lawyers who have worked day and night to defend me in this case," he said.

Long and Complex Legal Battle

The case pertains to the shocking incident of February 17, 2017, when the actress, a star across Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu cinema, was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car by a group of men who forced their way into the vehicle while she was traveling from Thrissur to Kochi.

The assault was reportedly filmed on a mobile phone.The investigation swiftly led to the arrest of Sunil NS, who was named the first accused. The subsequent probe expanded to include the high-profile actor, Dileep, who was accused of criminal conspiracy ($120B$) and other serious charges, including destroying evidence ($201$).

The trial, which began on March 8, 2018, proved to be one of the most complex and closely monitored legal battles in Kerala's history:

Witnesses: A total of 261 witnesses were examined, many in camera, including several prominent film personalities. Notably, 28 witnesses turned hostile during the proceedings.

Duration: Witness examination alone stretched over 438 days.

Documentation: The prosecution submitted 833 documents and 142 material objects, while the defense presented 221 documents.

Setbacks: Over the years, the trial faced several challenges, including the resignation of two special prosecutors and the survivor's unsuccessful plea to the higher courts to replace the presiding judge.

While the court validated the charges of gang rape and abduction against Suni and his co-accused, it found that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the charge of criminal conspiracy against Dileep beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to his acquittal. The verdict marks a pivotal moment in the Malayalam film industry and has generated significant public debate regarding the justice system and the safety of women in cinema.