2017 Actress Assault Case: Kerala High Court Condones 17 Days Delay In State's Appeal
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (10 March) condoned the 17 days delay in the appeal filed by the State challenging a sessions court order acquitting actor Dileep of all charges in the 2017 Actress Assault case and seeking enhancement of the punishment for the convicted persons.
The Division Bench comprising Dr. Justice A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian condoned the delay and issued notice to the respondents.
In its appeal before the High Court the State has also sought enhancement of sentence for accused no. 1-6, contending that the punishment awarded is inadequate given the gravity and societal impact of the crime.
For context the trial court had convicted accused Nos. 1 to 6– Pulsar Suni (A1), Martin Antony (A2), B Manikandan (A3), V.P. Vijeesh (A4), H. Saleem (A5), C. Pradeep (A 6)–for offences section 120 B(criminal conspiracy), 340(wrongful confinement), 354(Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 366(kidnapping), 354B(Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and 376D(gang rape) IPC.
They were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for gang rape, with additional concurrent sentences for allied offences. The court had directed that ₹5 lakh from the fine amount be paid to the survivor as compensation.
Apart from Dileep who is Accused No. 8, the State has also challenged the acquittal of accused Nos. 7 Charly Thomas, 9 Sanilkumar @ Mesthiri Sanil and 15 Sarath G. Nair who are accused of entering into criminal conspiracy to commit the crime.
In its appeal, the State also contends that the acquittals are illegal and unsustainable, arguing that the trial court failed to conduct a holistic evaluation of the evidence regarding the alleged larger conspiracy.
Case Title: State of Kerala v Sunil N.S. @ Pulsar Suni and Ors.
Case No: Crl.A 295/ 2026