Kochi: The judgement in the 2017 actress assault case has shed some light into why eight accused Dileep was acquitted in the case.

The bench of Ernakulam Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese has issued a detailed 1,711-page judgment. The verdict notes that there is no evidence supporting claims of a conspiracy in the case. The eighth accused, Dileep, also rejects the allegation that he attempted to influence the trial court judge.

The order states on page 1,547 that there is no proof that the ninth accused, Sanal, conspired with Pulsar Suni while in jail. The Special Public Prosecutor had submitted certain documents suggesting that the eighth accused, Dileep, tried to influence the judge in the trial court. The verdict records that this claim is unfounded.

From page 1,110 onwards, the verdict explains the reasons behind Dileep’s acquittal. The judgment also mentions that the prosecution was unable to establish any conspiracy.

Judge Varghese on December 8 found the first six accused, Sunil alias Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh V P, Salim H and Pradeep, guilty. All six were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment on Friday.

The case pertained to an actress who worked in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films and was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car by a group of men who forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017.

Dileep, who was accused of conspiring and hiring a gang to execute the crime, was found not guilty of the allegation that he orchestrated the assault. The charges invoked against the accused span a wide range of IPC sections, including criminal conspiracy (120A, 120B), abetment (109), wrongful confinement (342, 357), kidnapping (366), outraging modesty (354), attempt to disrobe (354B), gang rape (376D), criminal intimidation (506(i)), destruction of evidence (201), harbouring an offender (212), and common intention (34). The trial, which began on March 8, 2018, has been lengthy and complex.

A total of 261 witnesses were examined, many in camera, including several prominent film personalities, with 28 witnesses turning hostile. Over the years, two special prosecutors stepped down, and the survivor's request to replace the presiding judge was denied. The prosecution submitted 833 documents and 142 material objects, while the defence produced 221 documents.

Witness examination alone spanned 438 days while the actor expressed profound gratitude to his family, supporters and legal team upon acquittal, the Kerala Government has decided to appeal against the judgment. The Kerala Law Minister, P Rajeev, said that he has discussed the appeal matter with the state Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan and extended support to the actress. "The state government's decision is to appeal against the trial court verdict in the actress's attack case. Respected. Discussed this matter with the Chief Minister. The government is with the survival," said P Rajeev on Facebook.