The Kerala High Court on Monday, 22 June admitted the state government's appeal challenging the acquittal of actor Dileep and three others in the 2017 actress abduction and assault case, while also seeking enhancement of sentences awarded to those convicted. The decision marks a significant new phase in one of Kerala's most closely watched criminal proceedings.

What the Court Admitted

A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar took up the state's appeal for consideration. The appeal was filed during the tenure of the Pinarayi Vijayan government. The state has specifically challenged the acquittal of Dileep, the eighth accused in the case, along with accused No. 7 Charly Thomas, accused No. 9 Sanilkumar alias Mesthiri Sanil, and accused No. 15 Sarath G. Nair.

The prosecution contends that all four were part of the criminal conspiracy behind the abduction and assault of the survivor.

Key Procedural Developments

When the matter was heard on Monday, the court noted that senior advocate V. Ajakumar has been appointed as Special Public Prosecutor to represent the state — the same counsel who had argued the case before the trial court. The High Court directed that trial court records be placed before it and posted the matter for hearing after two weeks, when it will take up sentence suspension petitions filed by the convicts, including prime accused Sunil N.S. alias Pulsar Suni.

The bench is simultaneously hearing appeals filed by the convicted accused, who have challenged both their conviction and their sentences.

What the Trial Court Had Decided

In December, the Principal District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam, convicted six accused and sentenced them to 20 years imprisonment. However, the trial court acquitted Dileep — whom the prosecution had alleged was the mastermind behind the conspiracy — holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the conspiracy charge against him beyond a reasonable doubt. That verdict triggered widespread public and legal debate, given the high-profile nature of the case and the survivor's prolonged fight for justice.

Background: The 2017 Incident

The case stems from a February 2017 incident in which a leading woman actor was allegedly abducted while travelling from Thrissur to Kochi and sexually assaulted inside a moving vehicle. The crime sent shockwaves through Kerala's film industry and broader public sphere, eventually drawing national attention and becoming a flashpoint for conversations around gender safety and institutional accountability in the entertainment sector.

What Happens Next

With both the state and the convicted accused now before the High Court, the appellate proceedings are expected to subject the evidence, investigation methodology, and legal arguments to fresh and intense scrutiny. The next date of hearing, two weeks from Monday, will focus on whether the convicts' sentences should be suspended pending the appeal — a decision that could have immediate implications for those currently serving 20-year prison terms.