**Dileep Acquitted in 2017 Actor Assault Case After Lengthy Trial**
A Kerala court has acquitted actor Dileep, identified as accused number eight, in the high-profile 2017 actor assault case, concluding a legal battle that lasted nearly eight years. The verdict was delivered at 11 am by Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese.
The case centers around the abduction and alleged sexual assault of a prominent Malayalam actress, who was attacked inside her car for nearly two hours in Kochi on February 17, 2017. A total of ten individuals, including Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh VP, Salim H, Pradeep, Charly Thomas, Sanil Kumar alias Mesthri Sanil, and Sharath, were put on trial. They faced multiple charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, sexual assault, gang rape, destruction of evidence, and common intention, as well as provisions of the Information Technology Act. Dileep was additionally charged with evidence tampering.
The investigation began with the filing of the first chargesheet in April 2017. Dileep was arrested in July of the same year after investigators claimed that the main accused, Pulsar Suni, had sent him a letter from prison. He was granted bail in October 2017. A supplementary chargesheet was later submitted, and several accused were either discharged or became approvers in the case.
In 2021, further inquiries were initiated after filmmaker Balachandra Kumar alleged that Dileep had possession of visuals related to the assault. This led to another case being filed, accusing Dileep of conspiring to harm investigation officers. In 2022, allegations of unauthorized access to a memory card held in court custody prompted a High Court-ordered investigation and new guidelines for handling sexually explicit evidence.
Throughout the trial, 261 witnesses were examined, including numerous figures from the film industry, many of whom later turned hostile. The investigation officer was questioned for 109 days, and the court accepted 834 documents while also hearing from two defense witnesses. Tragically, two key witnesses, former MLA PT Thomas and director Balachandra Kumar, passed away during the trial.
In conclusion, the acquittal of Dileep marks a significant moment in a case that has drawn considerable public attention and scrutiny over the years.
**FAQ**
**Q: What was the outcome of the 2017 actor assault case involving Dileep?**
A: Dileep was found not guilty by a Kerala court after a lengthy trial lasting nearly eight years.