Kochi, Dec 12 (NationPress) Public Prosecutor Ajakumar expressed his profound disappointment regarding the sentence in the widely publicized actor assault case, labeling the punishment issued by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court as “incomplete justice”. He cautioned that this ruling might convey a misleading message to society.

In a media briefing following the verdict, Ajakumar asserted that the prosecution had faced “no setback”, yet deemed the penalties imposed on the six convicts as insufficient given the serious nature of the crime.

He indicated that he would advise the State government to file an appeal for a more stringent sentence.

“The sentence is not an act of kindness from the court; rather, it is a right of the prosecution,”

he emphasized, noting that numerous challenges encountered by the prosecution during the trial would be addressed “in appropriate forums.”

Earlier in the day, in a significant ruling, Principal Sessions Judge Honey M. Varghese sentenced six defendants, including the main perpetrator Pulsar Suni, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for gang rape.

Suni (N.S. Sunil) alongside co-accused Martin Antony, B. Manikandan, V.P. Vijeesh, H. Salim, and Pradeep were found guilty under gang-rape laws, which stipulate a minimum punishment of 20 years.

The court clarified that the time the convicts had already spent as undertrial prisoners would be deducted from the total sentence.

In delivering the sentence, the judge referenced mitigating factors such as the convicts' ages and family circumstances, along with the fact that some had no previous criminal records.

Each convict was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs 50,000; failure to comply would result in an additional year of imprisonment.

However, Ajakumar insisted that the sentence lacked the deterrent effect that such a heinous crime necessitates.

His comments reflect the increasing unease among certain public sectors and supporters of the survivor, who argue that this case required more robust judicial action to maintain public trust in the justice system.

State Law Minister P. Rajeeve announced that the government plans to appeal the verdict in the Kerala High Court for further examination and possible reconsideration.