Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): Filmmaker Kamal has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the verdict delivered by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court in the 2017 actress assault case, describing it as “disappointing”.

Speaking to ANI after the court sentenced six convicts to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, Kamal said, “We expected a minimum of life imprisonment for the convicts. We are not satisfied with the verdict. It is very disappointing. I don't think that Dileep is involved, as I know him very well.”

On Friday, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court found six accused guilty and imposed a 20-year rigorous imprisonment sentence. The verdict was pronounced by Justice Honey M Varghese, who held the accused guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including kidnapping with intent to rape (Section 366), criminal conspiracy (Section 120B) and gang rape (Section 376D).

In addition to the prison term, each convict was fined ₹50,000. The court ruled that failure to pay the fine would attract an additional one-year jail term. The first accused, Pulsar Suni, was also handed an extra five-year sentence under provisions of the Information Technology Act, although the court clarified that all sentences would run concurrently.

The court further ordered that a copy of the pen drive containing the recorded visuals related to the crime be preserved securely under the custody of the investigating officer, Baiju Paulose.

Earlier, the Sessions Court had acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep, who was the eighth accused in the case.

The case relates to a female actor who has worked in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films. She was allegedly abducted on the night of February 17, 2017, and assaulted inside her car by a group of men who forcibly entered the vehicle.

Reacting to the verdict, Kerala Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan said the state government would carefully examine the judgment, as the convicts were not awarded the maximum punishment.

He said, “The court's verdict cannot be commented on without a detailed and authoritative study. The real question is whether the survivor has received justice. There was an expectation of maximum punishment, and since that did not happen, the government will examine the verdict thoroughly and take necessary action.”

Cheriyan added, “There was no lapse from the prosecution. Without studying the judgment, it is not possible to give a definitive response. Our judicial system has seen different kinds of verdicts in the past as well. Since maximum justice has not been ensured, steps will be taken to pursue maximum punishment. Further action will also be taken to bring clarity regarding those involved in the conspiracy.”

ANI