Malayalam Actress Abduction Case: Kerala High Court Admits State’s Appeal Against Dileep’s Acquittal

The long-running Malayalam actress abduction case has taken a fresh legal turn. The Kerala High Court has admitted the Kerala government’s appeal challenging the acquittal of Malayalam actor Dileep and three others in the sensational 2017 actress assault case. The state has also sought stricter punishment for the six individuals who were convicted in the case.

A division bench of the Kerala High Court, comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, is currently hearing multiple appeals connected to the case. These include appeals filed by the convicted accused against their convictions and sentences, as well as the state’s challenge to the acquittal of Dileep and three other accused. 

The High Court has called for the trial court records and scheduled further proceedings for July 9. The court will also hear petitions seeking suspension of sentences filed by some of the convicted individuals, including the prime accused, Sunil N.S., popularly known as Pulsar Suni.

The case dates back to February 2017, when a well-known Malayalam actress was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted inside a moving vehicle. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and became one of the most closely followed legal battles in the Malayalam film industry. 

In December 2025, the Ernakulam Sessions Court convicted six accused and sentenced them to 20 years of imprisonment. However, actor Dileep and three others were acquitted after the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish the conspiracy charges against them beyond reasonable doubt.

With the Kerala High Court now admitting the state’s appeal, the spotlight has once again shifted to a case that has remained at the center of public and media attention for nearly a decade. The upcoming hearings are expected to play a crucial role in determining the future course of this high-profile legal battle. 

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