Kerala Actress Assault Case: A Timeline of Events and Legal Battles
2017: The Incident and Initial Arrests
In 2017, a renowned Malayalam actress was attacked in a moving vehicle in Kochi, marking a significant moment in Indian cinema’s socio-legal history. The assault was recorded by the perpetrators, shattering public perceptions of the industry and exposing underlying power dynamics.
The main accused, Pulsar Suni (N. S. Sunil), was identified, and the actress was left at an actor-director’s residence. Martin Antony, the actor’s driver, was arrested. Several industry figures, including Dileep, publicly supported the survivor. The first chargesheet named Pulsar Suni and six others.
The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) was formed and approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Allegations emerged involving Dileep, including a demand for ₹1.5 crore to keep his name out of the case. Dileep was arrested on July 10, 2017, for alleged conspiracy dating back to 2013. Public backlash led to his expulsion from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA).
2018-2019: Legal Proceedings and Industry Reactions
In 2018, Dileep’s requests to access the assault visuals were rejected by the High Court and the Supreme Court. Honey M. Varghese was appointed as judge at the survivor’s request, and ADGP Sandhya was transferred. Despite being reinstated by AMMA, Dileep declined the position.
The trial commenced in 2019 but was paused at the survivor’s request for a court transfer.
2020-2022: Trials and Revelations
In 2020, charges were framed against Dileep, Pulsar Suni, and others. The trial began, but several actors turned hostile. The survivor alleged bias and sought a change of judge, which was rejected by the Kerala High Court and Supreme Court.
In 2021, director Balachandra Kumar claimed Dileep had access to the assault visuals, prompting further investigation. The Special Public Prosecutor resigned due to differences with the judge.
In 2022, a new FIR was filed against Dileep based on these revelations. The survivor publicly revealed her identity and requested an investigation into alleged leaks of the assault visuals. Her plea to transfer the trial was dismissed.
2023-2025: Verdict and Reflections
In 2023, the Supreme Court declined to re-examine witnesses and denied Pulsar Suni’s bail, ordering the trial’s completion by July 31.
In 2024, the Crime Branch sought the cancellation of Dileep’s bail, which the High Court refused. The Justice Hema Committee reported widespread harassment in the industry, leading to over 30 FIRs. AMMA president Mohanlal stepped down, and director Balachandra passed away.
By 2025, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court convicted Pulsar Suni and others, while acquitting Dileep and three others.
The Broader Impact
Throughout the case, Pulsar Suni’s actions revealed a moral void, as he compared the abduction to trivial acts and refused to disclose crucial evidence. The trial highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in law enforcement and judicial processes, exposing power imbalances.
Despite institutional challenges, the survivor’s determination underscored the resilience of women fighting for justice. The case remains a stark reminder of the complexities of justice within celebrity culture and the need for systemic reform to protect the innocent.
For further reading, see: Dileep Acquitted in 2017 Actor Assault Case As Court Convicts Six Others.
