Actress Rape Case: Two Convicts Move Kerala High Court Challenging Sessions Court Verdict, Seek Suspension Of Sentence

Two of the convicts in the actress rape case have moved the Kerala High Court challenging the conviction and sentences passed against them by the Principal District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam.

The appeals are moved by Saleem H. @ Vadival Salim and Pradeep who were arrayed as the 5th and 6th accused in the case.

The Sessions Court had found them guilty of the offences under Sections 109, 120B, 342, 354, 354(b), 366, 355(b), 357, 354B and 376D of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 66E and 67A of the Information Technology Act. It had then sentenced them to 20 years' imprisonment.

The Court had acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep, who was arrayed as the 8th accused, finding that the prosecution failed to prove conspiracy by the actor in the case.

In the appeal, it is stated that the prosecution has not produced any evidence to connect the appellants with the 1st accused (Pulsar Suni) in helping with the commission of the crime or in participating in the conspiracy.

Today (December 19), when the appeals came up before Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, the judge admitted the appeals and gave time to the prosecution to file objection. The cases are posted on February 4 for further consideration. 

The appeals are moved by Advocates K.V. Sabu, M.G. Sreejith, Akhil K. Sabu, Nikhil K. Sabu, Arunraj S., Laya Theresa Antony, Hanna Rahman, Anjana A., Indu Menon M. and Anju P.S.

Case Nos: Crl.A 2334/ 2025 and Crl.A 2337/ 2025

Case Title: Pradeep v. State of Kerala and Saleem H. @ Vadival Salim v. State of Kerala