After a gruelling legal marathon spanning nearly nine years, a Sessions court in Ernakulam, Kerala, is set to pronounce its verdict in the 2017 Malayalam actor abduction and assault case on December 8, 2025. This judgment marks a pivotal moment in a case that sent shockwaves through Kerala society and irrevocably tarnished the global image of the Malayalam film industry.
The Crime That Shook a State and an Industry
The case dates back to February 17, 2017, when a highly acclaimed South Indian actress was abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of men in a moving car in Kochi. The assailants, who also recorded the crime, were soon identified. The police investigation quickly led to the arrest of driver Sunil Kumar, infamously known as Pulsar Suni, and his accomplices.
The plot thickened when popular actor Dileep was accused of masterminding the entire crime. His subsequent arrest on July 10, 2017, sent the industry into a tailspin. The case took a dramatic turn at a solidarity meet on February 19, 2017, where actor Manju Warrier, the survivor's close friend and Dileep's ex-wife, hinted at a larger criminal conspiracy, shifting public perception of the incident.
A Timeline of Twists, Turns, and Controversies
The trial, which began in January 2020, was fraught with controversies that prolonged the quest for justice. A significant setback for the prosecution occurred when 22 witnesses, including several film personalities, turned hostile during examination.
Further complications arose when the survivor alleged bias from the presiding judge, a plea later rejected by the High Court. The case saw a shocking new development in December 2021 when filmmaker Balachandrakumar came forward. He alleged that he saw Pulsar Suni at Dileep's residence and claimed the actor and others watched the assault clips. This revelation led to a new FIR against Dileep for allegedly conspiring to harm the investigating officers.
The film industry's response was fractured. While bodies like the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) initially expelled Dileep, they later voted to reinstate him under new president Mohanlal in June 2018. This move prompted the survivor and members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), formed in May 2017 in support of the survivor, to quit AMMA in protest.
The Long Road to Judgment Day
Dileep, who spent 85 days in judicial custody before getting conditional bail on October 3, 2017, made several legal attempts, including seeking the visuals of the assault, which were rejected by the courts. The trial concluded in February 2025, setting the stage for the final verdict.
As the court prepares to deliver its judgment, the case stands as a stark testament to the challenges within the judicial system and the film industry's complex power dynamics. The verdict will not only decide the legal fate of the accused but also serve as a defining moment for the survivor's relentless fight for justice, which has lasted for almost a decade.
