Prosecution to Seek Life Imprisonment for Six Convicted in 2017 Actress Assault Case

Kochi: The prosecution in the 2017 actress sexual assault case will seek life imprisonment for the six men found guilty by the trial court. The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court will consider the quantum of sentence on Friday.

On December 8, Principal Sessions Judge Honey M. Varghese convicted the first six accused—Sunil alias Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B., Vijesh V. P., Salim H., and Pradeep. The court acquitted actor Dileep and three others — Charley Thomas, Sanil Kumar alias Mesthri Sanil, and Sarath.

Special Public Prosecutor V. Aja Kumar told the media that the convicted men could receive life terms for three offences: rape, conspiracy and abetment. “We will seek the maximum punishment allowed, which is life imprisonment. We have presented the evidence supporting this during the trial,” he said.

The court found the six men guilty under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (as it existed in 2017) and the IT Act, including charges of criminal conspiracy, wrongful confinement, gang rape, kidnapping, abetment, and using criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty.

Aja Kumar said the prosecution is waiting for the detailed judgment to understand the reasoning behind Dileep’s acquittal. “Only after receiving the judgment copy can we know why he was acquitted. It is not right to call it a prosecution failure without seeing the reasons,” he said.

He added that preparations have already begun to move the Kerala High Court challenging the acquittal of the four accused. “I have personally started work on the appeal. Once the judgment is received, there will be no delay,” he said.

The attack on the actress took place on February 17, 2017, when a group of men allegedly forced their way into her car, overpowered the occupants and held the vehicle under their control for nearly two hours before fleeing. The incident had caused widespread shock in Kerala.