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The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (August 18) closed the plea preferred by actor Dileep seeking action against Indo-Asian News Channel Private Limited/Reporter TV for allegedly publishing trial details relating to the 2017 Actress Assault case. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 453]

When the matter came up before Justice Jobin Sebastian today, Dileep's counsel told that the purpose of the plea has been served after the investigating agency filed final reports in all 5 crimes. 

"When the matter was taken up today, the learned counsel for the petitioner endorsed the earlier submission made by the public prosecutor that after investigation, final report has been filed in all the cases. The learned counsel further submitted that the purpose of this petition has hence been served. Recording the said submission, this OP(Crl.) stands closed," the Court observed.

Last time, the Dileep's counsel had sought to verify the submission made by the public prosecutor that probe was completed and final reports were filed before the jurisdictional magistrate.

The investigation was fast-tracked after the Court questioned the delay and warned that it would initiate contempt action for violation of its earlier direction to complete probe by April.

Dileep was arrayed as the 8th accused in the case and alleged to be the mastermind behind the crime. In 2022, while the trial was pending, Dileep preferred the present plea alleging that the directive that prohibited the publication, broadcast and telecast of trial proceedings in the actress assault case was being violated by media houses. During the course of the proceedings, in 2022, 5 crimes was registered based on Court's direction.

Later, in December 2025, Dileep was acquitted by the Sessions Court, Ernakulam. Six of the accused, including prime accused Pulsar Suni, were found guilty and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment.

Some of the convicts have appealed against their convictions. The State has also preferred an appeal challenging the acquittal of Dileep and others, and has sought to enhance the convict's punishments. All the appeals are presently pending before the Division Bench.

While opposing the convict's sentence suspension pleas, the survivor had also submitted that she would prefer an appeal against the trial court's decision. The Division Bench had dismissed the suspension pleas preferred by Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Vadival Salim and Pradeep.

Case No: OP (Crl.) No. 23/2022

Case Title: P. Gopalakrishnan alias Dileep v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 453

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