Several key witnesses, including some co-accused, turned hostile or provided contradictory statements, undermining prosecution's narrative.
Published Dec 08, 2025 | 2:03 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 08, 2025 | 2:03 PM
Malayalam actor Dileep. Credit: x.com/Dileep_Online
Synopsis: Ernakulam court acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 actress assault case, citing a lack of evidence linking him to the conspiracy. While prime accused Pulsar Suni and five others were convicted of abduction and gang rape, the judge ruled the prosecution failed to prove Dileep’s involvement, granting him the benefit of doubt. Dileep immediately alleged a police-media conspiracy to frame him.
The verdict in the 2017 actor assault case has shocked Kerala, with netizens venting their anger on social media.
The state government has announced its decision to appeal against Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court judge Honey M. Varghese’s acquittal of the eighth accused, P. Gopalakrishnan, popularly known by his screen name, Dileep.
Six of the accused people — including NS Sunil alias Pulsar Suni — were found guilty of the crime that had shocked the collective conscience of the state.
Dileep had been charged with criminal conspiracy that led to Kerala’s first known case of ‘quotation rape’ — contracting someone to carry out the heinous crime.
While acquitting him, the court stated that the prosecution had “failed to establish the conspiracy charge” against Dileep, due to gaps and inconsistencies in the evidence presented.
The acquitted actor had spent more than 80 days in remand. He beamed as he came down the court’s steps after the judge had pronounced the verdict in the case, which saw the trial spanning over eight years.
Soon after the verdict was pronounced, Dileep’s fans went into a frenzy and distributed sweets outside the court.
Besides Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh VP, Salim H, and Pradeep were found guilty on charges including wrongful confinement, assault to outrage modesty, attempt to disrobe, and gang rape under IPC Sections 366, 354, 354B, and 376(D).
Three other accused—Charly Thomas, Sanil Kumar (Mesthri Sanil), and Sharath Nair—were also acquitted. The court will pronounce the quantum of the sentence on 12 December.
No conclusive link to the plot: Despite allegations that Dileep masterminded the 17 February 2017, attack in a moving car as revenge—stemming from his belief that the survivor had informed his then-wife, actress Manju Warrier, about his affair with now-wife Kavya Madhavan—the judge ruled there was no credible material proving he hatched, funded, or directed the crime.
Inconsistencies and hostile witnesses: Several key witnesses, including some co-accused, turned hostile or provided contradictory statements, undermining the prosecution’s narrative.
Doubts over evidence handling: The authenticity and chain of custody for a controversial memory card—allegedly containing assault visuals recovered later—raised serious questions about the investigation’s integrity. Dileep was also cleared of charges under Section 201 IPC (destroying evidence) due to lack of proof.
Benefit of reasonable doubt: In the absence of direct or clinching circumstantial evidence, the court extended Dileep the benefit of doubt under Section 238 CrPC, acquitting him of all counts, including Sections 120B (conspiracy), 109 (abetment), and provisions under the IT Act.
Emerging from the courtroom amid cheers from supporters and a media frenzy, an elated Dileep declared the verdict a “victory for truth.” He launched a scathing attack on the police and media, alleging a “deliberate conspiracy” to frame him. He said the case against him stemmed from his ex-wife, Manju Warrier, alleging a criminal conspiracy.
At a protest rally organised on 19 February 2017 — two days after the actor was violated in a moving car — Warrier said that a ‘criminal conspiracy’ had taken place to target the survivor.
— Dileep Online (@Dileep_Online) December 8, 2025
“It all started when Manju alleged a criminal conspiracy. A senior woman police officer and some criminal officers created this false narrative, roping in the main accused,” he said, pointing to his ex-wife as the spark.
Dileep accused investigators of fabricating a “storyline” amplified by “some journalists,” claiming the “real conspiracy was against me—to malign and destroy my career”.
He lamented the “irreparable trauma” to his family but declined to specify plans for legal action against those he implicated.
Reactions poured in swiftly. The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), formed post-assault to advocate for industry safety, rallied with “Avalkoppam” (With Her) solidarity posts from members like Rima Kallingal and Parvathy Thiruvothu, decrying a “cruelly crafted screenplay”.
