Kerala awaits the verdict in the high-profile actress assault case, in which Pulsar Suni is the main accused and actor Dileep is the eighth accused.

It is known that the survivor, who has endured intense mental trauma over the years and has often been targeted by the superstar’s fans on social media, will not appear in court to hear the verdict on this tormenting episode of her life. She will instead watch the proceedings unfold on TV from her home.

As many as ten accused faced trial: Sunil NS alias Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh VP, Salim H, Pradeep, Charly Thomas, actor Dileep (real name P. Gopalakrishnan), Sanil Kumar alias Mesthri Sanil, and Sharath.

The looming question

For nearly eight years, a key question has hung over the glittering world of Malayalam cinema: Could one of its biggest stars, actor Dileep, have orchestrated a horrific attack on a fellow actress?

On Monday, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court is expected to answer that question, delivering a verdict in the 2017 assault case that evolved from a terrible crime into a sensational legal saga — a trial of extraordinary twists, agonizing delays, and a battle over narrative that has lasted far beyond its original deadline.

The actress-victim, who has worked in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films, was abducted and allegedly molested in her car for two hours on the night of February 17, 2017, by some persons who forced their way into the vehicle and later escaped in a busy area of Kochi.

Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Judge Honey M. Varghese will deliver the verdict after completing the trial proceedings, which began in January 2020.