Dileep Cleared in Kerala Actor Rape Case; Six Convicted
Actor Dileep has been acquitted in the notorious Kerala actor rape case. The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court in Kochi cleared him of all charges on December 8, 2025. This ruling came after a lengthy trial lasting approximately eight years. Dileep, who was the eighth accused in the case, is now free from criminal allegations.
Convictions of Other Accused
While Dileep was acquitted, the court found six other accused guilty. The first six accused are:
- N.S. Sunil, alias ‘Pulsar Suni’ – First accused
- Martin Antony – Second accused
- B. Manikandan – Third accused
- V. P. Vijeesh – Fourth accused
- H. Salim, alias Vadiwal Salim – Fifth accused
- Pradeep – Sixth accused
Sentencing for these individuals is scheduled for December 12, 2025.
Background of the Case
The case has been widely followed due to its involvement of various prominent film personalities. The incident took place on February 17, 2017, when the actress was allegedly raped in a moving car. The prosecution claimed that the first accused recorded the act on his mobile phone as part of a conspiracy.
Details of the Incident
The prosecution outlined that on the night of the crime, the actress left her home in Thrissur in a vehicle driven by Martin Antony. Following her, ‘Pulsar Suni’ and other accused created a staged accident to force their way into her vehicle. The attackers allegedly threatened and assaulted the actress while documenting the crime.
Witness Testimonies
The case drew significant media attention, and various actors were called as witnesses. Notably, several actors, including Bindu Panicker and Edavela Babu, were declared hostile witnesses after changing their testimonies during cross-examination.
As the public awaits the final judgement details on the convictions, the case highlights the complexities of sexual assault allegations in the film industry.
