Putting an end to a legal battle that had been going on for almost nine years, a Sessions court in Ernakulam pronounced its verdict in the 2017 Malayalam actor abduction and assault case on Monday, December 8. The verdict marked a landmark moment in the case, which not only shook Kerala but also changed the landscape and image of Malayalam cinema in the eyes of the world forever.
Since the day a renowned Malayalam woman actor was abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of men in a moving car in Kochi, the case has been a hot topic, particularly since her colleague, actor Dileep, was later accused of masterminding the crime and subsequently arrested. Over the years, the case and trial have been embroiled in significant controversies, including several witnesses turning hostile and the prosecution alleging that the judge was biased and engaged in slut-shaming the survivor.
While Dileep was acquitted in the case when the verdict was pronounced on December 8, six others, who directly committed the crime, were found guilty.
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Here is a timeline of the 2017 Malayalam actor abduction and assault case:
February 17, 2017: A widely renowned South Indian actor, known particularly for her work in Malayalam films, is abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of men in a moving car in Kochi. According to The News Minute, the perpetrators also recorded the crime in eight clips.
February 18: The survivor files a police complaint. Based on her statement, the police deduce that the crime was committed by Sunil Kumar (infamously known as Pulsar Suni), a driver working in the film industry, and others. Subsequently, driver Martin Antony, another accused, is arrested.
February 19: Two more persons, Vadival Salim and Pradeep, are taken into police custody. The Malayalam film fraternity organises a solidarity meet in Kochi, attended by industry bigwigs like Mohanlal and Mammootty. While addressing the gathering, actor Manju Warrier, a close friend of the survivor and Dileep’s ex-wife, alleges, “There has clearly been a criminal conspiracy behind this crime.” This statement is widely believed to have prompted Kerala society to view the case from a different angle, suggesting that the incident involved more than just abduction and assault, and was pre-planned. Dileep was also present at the event.
February 20: Manikandan, another accused, is taken into police custody.
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February 23: Police arrest Pulsar Suni and Vijesh while they are trying to surrender before the court.
April 18: Investigators file a chargesheet in the Angamaly Magistrate Court, naming Suni as the first accused in a list of seven, according to Deshabhimani.
May 2017: A group of women actors come together to support the survivor. They form Women in Cinema Collective (WCC).
Dileep was arrested in 2017 in connection with the Kerala actor abduction and assault case. (File photo)
June 2017: A letter purportedly sent by Suni to Dileep surfaces. In the note, Suni claimed he had not betrayed the star but blamed him for failing to arrange legal representation for him. He also demanded money from Dileep. While denying all allegations, Dileep publicly engages in victim-blaming during an interview.
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June 28: Police question Dileep and his friend, actor-director Nadirsha, for 13 hours.
July 10: Dileep is arrested after the investigating officials learn that Suni had visited the star on the sets of his most recent movie. He is subsequently remanded to judicial custody. Major film organisations, including Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), expel him.
October 3: He is released on conditional bail by the Kerala High Court after spending 85 days in judicial custody.
June 2018: Following Mohanlal’s election as AMMA president, the organisation decides to allow Dileep to return. The survivor and three members of WCC quit AMMA in protest. Owing to the controversy, Dileep declines the organisation’s invitation.
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2019: Dileep approaches various courts seeking visuals of the incident, but his pleas are rejected.
January 30, 2020: The trial begins. During the examination, 22 witnesses, including actors Siddique, Bhama, Edavela Babu, and Bindu Panicker, turn hostile.
November 20, 2020: The survivor approaches the High Court, requesting a transfer of the case to another court, alleging bias by the judge. The HC rejects her plea.
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December 2021: While the prosecution struggles with its case, a small-time director, Balachandrakumar, enters the scene, levelling serious accusations against Dileep. He alleges that he saw Pulsar Suni at Dileep’s residence and stated that the star, his family members, and a VIP guest watched clips of the sexual assault at Dileep’s home.
January – February 2022: Audio clips purportedly belonging to Dileep surface, in which he is heard saying that the five officials who investigated the case will face consequences. Another FIR is filed against Dileep for conspiring to harm the investigating officers. The survivor speaks out on social media, revealing her identity.
August 19, 2024: The Kerala government releases the Justice Hema Committee report.
December 13, 2024: Balachandrakumar passes away.
February 2025: The trial ends.
December 8, 2025: Verdict pronounced, Dileep acquitted. The court, however, finds six others, including Pulsar Suni, who directly committed the crime, guilty.
