Published Jul 14, 2026 | 1:58 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2026 | 1:58 PM
Pulsar Suni (supplied).
Synopsis: The Kerala High Court dismissed the plea filed by Pulsar Suni, the prime convict in the 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case, seeking suspension of his 20-year prison sentence.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday, 14 July, dismissed the plea filed by Sunil NS alias Pulsar Suni, the prime convict in the 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case, seeking suspension of his 20-year prison sentence.
Suni was among the six accused sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by the Ernakulam Principal District and Sessions Court in December 2025 after being convicted under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act.
While rejecting his plea, the high court said there was no valid reason to suspend the sentence at this stage, as it found no major flaws in the trial court’s judgment.
Also Read: Kerala HC admits state appeal seeking tougher sentence in actress assault case
The Bench noted that after a conviction, imprisonment remains the norm unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The court also observed that the seriousness of the crime, its impact on society, Suni’s criminal record, his alleged involvement in another case while on bail and violations of bail conditions weighed against granting relief.
It further held that the time, more than eight years, he had already spent in custody was not sufficient grounds to suspend his sentence.
In December 2025, the Ernakulam Principal District and Sessions Court sentenced six accused, including Suni, to 20 years in prison for offences including rape, abduction and conspiracy.
Actor Dileep was acquitted after the court found that the prosecution failed to establish the alleged conspiracy.
On 22 June, the high court had admitted the state government’s appeal seeking a tougher sentence for those convicted and challenging the acquittal of Dileep, Charly Thomas, Sanilkumar alias Mesthiri Sanil, and Sarath G Nair in the alleged conspiracy case.
(With inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
