Kerala Court Hands 20-Year Jail Terms to Pulsar Suni and Five Convicts in 2017 Actress Assault Case, as Public Fury Over Dileep Acquittal Simmers

Kochi– In a development that brings partial closure to one of Kerala's most notorious criminal sagas, the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court on Friday sentenced main accused Sunil NS alias Pulsar Suni and five other convicts to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment each for their roles in the 2017 abduction and gang rape of a prominent Malayalam actress. The verdict, delivered by Judge Honey M Varghese, imposes the minimum mandatory term for gang rape under Section 376D of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), rejecting the prosecution's plea for life imprisonment while emphasizing a balanced approach to justice.

The sentencing follows the court's December 8 conviction of the six men: Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh VP, Salim H alias Vadival Salim, and Pradeep on multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy (IPC 120B), wrongful confinement (IPC 342), outraging the modesty of a woman (IPC 354), kidnapping (IPC 366), assault to disrobe (IPC 354B), criminal force (IPC 357), and gang rape (IPC 376D). All six were also held guilty under Sections 66E and 67A of the Information Technology Act for conspiring to record and transmit explicit videos of the assault, with Suni bearing direct responsibility for the filming.

The horrific crime unfolded on February 17, 2017, when the survivor, en route to a film shoot in Kochi, was abducted by the group in a moving car, sexually assaulted, and subjected to video recording. Antony, the driver, was arrested the next day, followed swiftly by Suni, a known history-sheeter, and the others within weeks. The case gained explosive notoriety when actor Dileep was arrested in July 2017 for allegedly masterminding the assault as revenge against the actress, who had exposed his extramarital affair to his then-wife. However, on December 8, Judge Varghese acquitted Dileep of all charges, citing insufficient evidence of his involvement in the conspiracy.

During Friday's hearing on sentencing, the convicts pleaded for leniency, citing family dependencies and claims of innocence. Suni highlighted his role as caregiver to his elderly mother; Antony noted his prolonged incarceration without direct participation; Manikandan emphasized his breadwinner status; Vijeesh sought proximity to his hometown; while Salim and Pradeep maintained outright innocence. Special Public Prosecutor Ajakumar countered vehemently, urging life terms as a societal deterrent against such "heinous" crimes.

In oral observations, Judge Varghese acknowledged Suni's singular role in the rape but stressed equal liability for co-conspirators. "The sensational nature of the case does not sway the court," the judge stated, as quoted in court proceedings. "Sentencing must balance societal justice with the offender's circumstances, guided by aggravating and mitigating factors." The court rejected capital punishment arguments, opting for the 20-year baseline, which includes time already served.

While the convictions and sentences mark a measure of accountability for the direct perpetrators, ending an eight-year ordeal that saw over 700 witnesses and extensive evidence, the acquittal of Dileep continues to fuel widespread public discontent on social media. Verified reactions from X (formerly Twitter) reveal a stark divide: broad outrage from activists, women's rights advocates, and ordinary users decrying it as a miscarriage of justice, contrasted by relief from Dileep's dedicated fanbase and a few voices praising the judiciary's evidence-based stance.

The verdict in the Kerala actress-assault case has triggered an emotional reaction from several celebrities and the actress Shafna Nizam has openly declared that she has lost faith in the justice system. Reacting to the judgment through Instagram, Shafna did not hold back her heartbreak and frustration. Similarly, commentator Jasoos Kutty observed, "Dileep is acquitted by the court, but there is no sympathy for him among the people of Kerala. Their court has already banished him." News outlets amplified these views, with India Today reporting activists labeling the verdict a "travesty of justice," and Gulf News calling it "shocking" amid debates on "legal accountability and culture of misogyny."