2017 Actress Rape Case: Kerala High Court Refuses To Suspend Sentences Of Two More Convicts

The Kerala High Court has refused to suspend the sentences of two more convicts in the 2017 Actress assault case.

In December 2025, the Principal District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam, had sentenced 6 of the accused to undergo 20 years imprisonment. They were found guilty of the offences under Sections 376D, 120B, Sections 342, 354, 354B, 357 and 376D of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 66E and 67A of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act.

The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar dismissed the sentence suspension pleas of Pradeep (A6) and Saleem @ Vadival Salim (A5).

"On going through the judgement and the materials placed on record, we are of the view that, prima facie, there are sufficient evidence on record to prove the alleged conspiracy between the accused nos. 1 to 6 and they have acted in furtherance of the said conspiracy and executed their plan with precision. On careful consideration of the available records on evidence, we are unable to accept the contention of the learned counsel for the applicant that he was only a mere passenger in...vehicle, no active role in the commission of the crime or in the conspiracy. Prima facie, it appears that the applicant had assisted and aided the commission of the crime, and he had shared the common intention with all the conspirators," the Court observed.

The Court further remarked that the convicts have not pointed out any patent infirmity or manifest illegality or perversity in the judgment rendered by the trial court to warrant suspension of the sentence awarded.

The Court had heard the arguments advanced by Advocates K.V. Sabu for the convicts, V. Ajakumar (Special Public Prosecutor) and Vrinda Grover representing the survivor.

After hearing the parties, the Court noted that the trial court records, though called for, is yet to be received. Moreover, while these appeals have been admitted, some of the co-accused had not preferred an appeal yet and the State's appeal against acquittal of some of the accused is also pending.

Further, it was noted that the victim had identified both of these convicts during the Test Identification Parade and had given detailed deposition regarding the sexual assault committed by the prime accused with the active aid of the others.

Earlier, the Court had dismissed the sentence suspension plea of prime accused, Sunil N.S. @ Pulsar Suni.

Case Nos: Crl.M.Appl. No. 1 in Crl.A No. 2334 of 2025 and Crl.M.Appl. No. 1 in Crl.A No. 2337 of 2025

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

Counsel for the petitioners: K.V. Sabu. M.G. Sreejith, Nikhil K. Sabu, Akhil K. Sabu, Arunraj S., Laya Theresa Antony, Hanna Rahman, Anjana A., Indu Menon M., Anju P.S.

Counsel for the respondents: V. Ajakumar - Special Public Prosecutor, Vrinda Grover - for the survivor

Click to Read/Download Interim Order in Crl.M.Appl. No. 1 in Crl.A No. 2334 of 2025

Click to Read/Download Interim Order in Crl.M.Appl. No. 1 in Crl.A No. 2337 of 2025