In a major new development in the high-profile 2017 Kerala actress assault case, the survivor has decided to challenge the trial court verdict before the Kerala High Court, while a new legal support trust has been formed to help raise funds and back her legal battle.
Kochi: In a major new development in the high-profile 2017 Kerala actress assault case, the survivor has decided to challenge the trial court verdict before the Kerala High Court, while a new legal support trust has been formed to support her continued legal battle.
The actress survivor in the sensational Malayalam cinema assault case is preparing to file an appeal against the 2025 verdict delivered by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court. The move comes months after actor Dileep and three others were acquitted in the alleged conspiracy angle of the case, while six accused, including prime accused Pulsar Suni, were convicted.
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The survivor’s legal challenge is expected to focus on the acquittals and the findings related to the conspiracy allegations in the case.
‘Avalkkoppam’ trust launched to support survivor’s legal fight
In April 2026, people from different walks of life came together to launch the ‘Avalkkoppam Legal Support Trust’ to provide financial and legal backing for the survivor’s appeal process.
Activist K. Ajitha, writer-filmmaker Deedi Damodaran, dubbing artiste Bhagyalakshmi, actor Prakash Bare and IT expert Joseph K. Mathew are among those associated with the initiative.
Members of the trust stated that the organisation was formed to stand with the survivor as she continues her legal fight in the High Court after nearly a decade-long court battle that has remained one of the most closely watched cases in Malayalam cinema history.
Case that shook Malayalam cinema in 2017
The case dates back to February 17, 2017, when a leading Malayalam actress was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted inside a moving vehicle while travelling from Thrissur to Kochi in Kerala.
The assault was allegedly filmed and later used as a blackmail tool, triggering widespread outrage across the state and the Indian film industry.
The investigation later led to the arrest of Pulsar Suni and several others. Actor Dileep was arrested in July 2017 after investigators alleged he was part of a larger conspiracy behind the attack.
Prosecutors had claimed that he held personal resentment against the survivor and had allegedly orchestrated the assault through hired criminals. Dileep consistently denied all allegations throughout the investigation and trial.
Trial court verdict and acquittals
After nearly eight years of legal proceedings, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court delivered its verdict in December 2025.
Six accused, including Pulsar Suni, were convicted on charges including gang rape, wrongful confinement, sexual assault, criminal conspiracy and recording sexually explicit visuals. They were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.
However, the court acquitted Dileep and three others after ruling that the prosecution had failed to conclusively prove the conspiracy allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
The court reportedly observed that while the assault itself had been clearly established, the evidence connecting Dileep directly to the conspiracy remained insufficient.
Kerala government has also challenged acquittal
The Government of Kerala has already challenged the acquittal before the Kerala High Court.
The state has argued that the acquitted accused should face retrial and that the punishment awarded to the convicted accused should also be enhanced.
The High Court has admitted the government’s appeal and issued notices to the accused.
The case has continued to remain a landmark moment in Malayalam cinema and Kerala’s public discourse.
It triggered intense debates around women’s safety in the film industry, misuse of influence and power, witness intimidation, handling of digital evidence and gender discrimination within cinema spaces.
The controversy also directly contributed to the formation of the Women in Cinema Collective, an organisation formed by women actors and technicians in the Malayalam film industry to advocate safer and more equitable workplaces.
With appeals now being pursued by the Kerala government, convicted accused and the survivor herself, the legal battle surrounding the actress assault case is expected to continue in the Kerala High Court through 2026.
Published: 13 May 2026, 12:21 pm IST
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