Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday admitted the state government's appeal challenging the acquittal of actor Dileep and three others in the 2017 actress assault case. The state has also sought enhancement of the sentences awarded to those convicted in the case.

The appeal, filed by the Left Democratic Front government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, moved forward after a Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar took up the matter for consideration.

The state has challenged the acquittal of Dileep, the eighth accused in the case, along with the acquittals of accused Nos. 7, Charly Thomas; 9, Sanilkumar alias Mesthiri Sanil; and 15, Sarath G. Nair.

According to the prosecution, the four were part of the alleged criminal conspiracy behind the abduction and assault of the actor.

Convicts also challenge verdict

The High Court is simultaneously hearing appeals filed by the convicted accused, who have challenged both their convictions and the sentences imposed on them.

When the case came up on Monday, the court recorded that senior advocate V. Ajakumar had been appointed Special Public Prosecutor for the state. He had also represented the prosecution during the trial proceedings.

The bench directed that the records of the trial court be produced before it. The matter was then posted after two weeks for hearing petitions seeking suspension of sentences filed by the convicted accused, including the prime accused, Sunil N.S., better known as Pulsar Suni.

Trial court verdict

In December, the Principal District and Sessions Court in Ernakulam convicted six accused and sentenced them to 20 years' imprisonment.

However, the court acquitted Dileep, who had been accused by the prosecution of masterminding the alleged conspiracy. The trial court held that the prosecution had failed to prove the conspiracy charge against him beyond reasonable doubt.

The verdict drew significant public attention because of the case's high-profile nature and the survivor's long legal battle.

Case that shook Kerala

The case stems from an incident in February 2017, when a leading Malayalam film actor was allegedly abducted while travelling from Thrissur to Kochi and assaulted inside a moving vehicle.

The allegations and subsequent investigation triggered widespread discussion within Kerala's film industry and beyond, making it one of the state's most closely watched criminal cases.

With appeals now filed by both the state and the convicted accused, the proceedings have entered a new phase before the High Court. The appellate hearings are expected to revisit issues relating to the evidence, investigation and legal arguments that have shaped the case over the past several years.