Dileep acquitted in actor assault case; six convicted.
Ernakulam court acquitted Dileep after eight-year trial; sentencing for six convicted will be announced on December twelve morning.
Actor Dileep, long at the centre of one of Kerala’s most emotionally charged and closely watched criminal cases, walked out of the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Monday (December 8, 2025) a free man. After nearly eight years of legal battles, intense public scrutiny, and countless dramatic turns, the trial court in Kochi acquitted him of all charges related to the 2017 abduction and sexual assault of a fellow Malayalam actor—an incident that had shaken the Malayalam film industry and sparked nationwide outrage.
The verdict was delivered by Principal Sessions Judge Honey M. Varghese, who has overseen the final and most crucial phase of the proceedings. In her detailed order, she ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish Dileep’s involvement beyond reasonable doubt. The actor, who was the eighth accused in the case, had consistently maintained his innocence, even as he faced allegations of being the mastermind behind the horrific assault.
The court’s decision brought an emotional end to a marathon trial that stretched across almost an entire decade—one marked by high-voltage courtroom drama, allegations of evidence tampering, rival factions within the film industry, and intense media attention that rarely waned. For many, the case had become symbolic of a much larger battle: the fight for women’s safety, justice, and dignity within the entertainment industry and beyond.
The Case That Shook Kerala’s Film World
The 2017 incident had sent shockwaves through Kerala and the Indian film fraternity. The survivor—an established actor—had been abducted while travelling in Kochi, assaulted inside a moving vehicle, and filmed without her consent. The brutality of the act and the brazenness with which it was carried out horrified the public.
When the investigation later turned its focus toward Dileep, alleging that he had conspired with the prime accused, Pulsar Suni, to orchestrate the assault as revenge for personal disputes, the narrative only grew more explosive. The Malayalam film industry found itself divided, friendships fractured, and alliances reshaped. The survivor’s colleagues rallied around her, eventually forming the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which became one of the most powerful voices advocating for systemic reforms.
Dileep was arrested in July 2017 and spent several weeks in judicial custody before being granted bail. From that point onward, the case remained a constant presence in Kerala’s public discourse.
A Trial Defined by Twists and Tensions
The trial, which began in earnest in 2018, soon became one of the longest-running and most complex criminal proceedings in the state’s judicial history. Witnesses turned hostile, fresh allegations surfaced repeatedly, and new submissions kept pulling the case in unexpected directions.
At one stage, the prosecution accused Dileep and others of attempting to influence or intimidate key witnesses. There were also claims that digital evidence, including the memory card containing the assault visuals, had been tampered with during the trial—a concern that prompted multiple inquiries and additional hearings. Throughout this period, Dileep’s legal team maintained that the case against him was built on speculation and unreliable testimonies.
Judge Honey M. Varghese, who took over the case mid-way after the survivor expressed concerns about earlier proceedings, presided over hundreds of hearings. Her courtroom became the centre of Kerala’s most significant legal battle in recent memory, with every major development reported widely across the state’s media.
The Verdict: A Decisive Acquittal
On Monday, the long wait came to an end. Delivering her judgment, Judge Varghese held that the prosecution had not met the standard of proof necessary to establish Dileep’s role in the alleged conspiracy. Courts, she emphasised, could not convict solely on the basis of suspicion or public pressure.
While the detailed reasoning behind the acquittal will continue to be debated in the days ahead, the immediate outcome was clear: Dileep stood cleared of all criminal charges.
According to court officials, the remaining accused who were found guilty will be sentenced on December 12 , when the court will pronounce punishment after hearing arguments from both sides.
Mixed Reactions Across Kerala
The verdict has already triggered contrasting responses.
Dileep’s supporters, many of whom had remained steadfast in their belief that he was framed, expressed relief and triumph. For them, the acquittal was long overdue and served as vindication after years of what they viewed as unfair targeting.
Meanwhile, the survivor’s supporters and women’s rights groups reacted with disappointment and concern. Many expressed fears about the message the verdict might send to victims of sexual violence—particularly those with powerful individuals allegedly involved. Some voiced hope that the state would consider appealing the verdict.
The Women in Cinema Collective issued a statement reiterating its support for the survivor, praising her courage in standing strong through eight difficult years.
The Survivor’s Journey
Throughout the trial, the survivor remained dignified and resilient, rarely speaking publicly about the case but steadfast in pursuing justice. Her willingness to testify in open court, despite the trauma she had suffered, was widely praised.
Her case became a rallying point for broader conversations about gender equity, working conditions, and accountability in the Malayalam film industry. It prompted internal reforms, discussions about harassment policies, and a stronger push to empower women both on-screen and behind the scenes.
What Comes Next
Following Dileep’s acquittal, legal experts say the prosecution has the option to appeal before the Kerala High Court once the full judgment is available. Whether the survivor or the state chooses to pursue that route will become clear in the coming weeks.
For now, the verdict marks a significant turning point—not just for Dileep, but for Kerala’s cultural and social landscape. The case forced the state to confront uncomfortable realities about power, gender, and justice. Even as the legal chapter closes for some, the conversations it sparked are likely to continue shaping the film industry and public attitudes for years to come.
As Dileep walked out of the courtroom on Monday, free of all charges for the first time since 2017, one chapter ended. But the story—legal, emotional, and societal—is far from over.