In a significant development in the high-profile 2017 actor assault case, two of the convicted individuals have approached the Kerala High Court challenging their verdict. Salim, also known as Vadival Salim, and Pradeep, who were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, have filed appeals seeking to overturn the trial court's decision and secure their acquittal.
Grounds of the Appeal: Challenging Conspiracy Charges
The core argument presented by the appellants centers on the charge of criminal conspiracy. In their appeals, Salim and Pradeep have contended that the prosecution failed to present any credible evidence proving they shared culpability with the main accused, including Pulsar Suni. They emphasized that the primary allegation against them was merely being part of a conspiracy allegedly planned by Suni and actor Dileep. Notably, Dileep, the eighth accused in the case, was acquitted by the trial court.
Both men have strongly asserted that they were not involved in the actual act of sexual assault. They pointed out that the survivor, a popular actor in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films, testified that neither of them had verbally or physically abused or touched her during the horrific incident.
Alibis and Absence from the Crime Scene
The appeals provide detailed accounts of their whereabouts. Salim, a call taxi driver, stated that he only drove the vehicle as instructed by Suni and was not present inside it during the assault. Pradeep, who worked as a bus conductor, claimed that on the day of the incident, February 17, 2017, he was waiting for a bus after closing his accounts. He stated that acquaintances stopped a vehicle, offered him a lift, and dropped him at his residence in Palarivattom, Kochi.
Based on these claims, they argued they had no connection to the crime or the alleged conspiracy. The prosecution's case was that the survivor was abducted and sexually assaulted while traveling from Thrissur to Kochi for a film shoot. Obscene visuals were recorded on a mobile phone inside the moving vehicle by the accused, including Suni.
Seeking Bail and Suspension of Sentence
Alongside their plea for acquittal, both Salim and Pradeep have requested the High Court to suspend the execution of their 20-year sentences. They have prayed for bail pending the final disposal of their appeals. The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court had convicted and sentenced them on December 12, along with four other accused. The charges included gang rape under Section 376D and criminal conspiracy under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code.
The High Court is expected to consider these appeals at a later date. This legal move marks a new chapter in the long-drawn judicial process of a case that has captured national attention and sparked widespread debates on justice and safety for women in the Indian film industry.
