Kochi (Kerala): AMMA President Shwetha Menon expressed satisfaction over the verdict in the 2017 actress assault case while dismissing reports of reinstating actor Dileep to the association.

Speaking to reporters, the actress said, “We are very happy with the quantum of punishment delivered. We were waiting for the sentence to come out, which is why there was a delay in issuing a statement. She has been a big example for many women in the industry.”

She also suggested that the survivor consider pursuing an appeal in a higher court. “I would personally think it right to move ahead with filing an appeal in higher courts regarding the verdict,” she stated. 

Responding to media speculation about Dileep’s return to AMMA, Menon clarified, “No discussions were held regarding it. A lot of misconceived notions were circulated in the media on December 8 that we had convened an urgent meeting. However, the meeting was an Executive Committee meeting scheduled weeks earlier. By coincidence, the verdict was delivered on the same day, which led to misinterpretation.”

The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court sentenced all six convicts to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in the 2017 actress assault case.

The verdict delivered by Justice Honey M Varghese found the accused guilty of kidnapping with intent to rape (Section 366 of the Indian Penal Code), criminal conspiracy (IPC 120B) and gang rape (IPC 376D). Each convict has also been fined Rs 50,000, and failure to pay will result in an additional one-year imprisonment.

The first accused, Pulsar Suni, received an extra five-year sentence under the IT Act, but the court clarified that all sentences will run concurrently.

The court also directed that a copy of the pen drive containing the visuals be kept in safe custody by investigating officer Baiju Paulose.

The Sessions Court had earlier acquitted Malayalam actor and the eighth accused, Dileep, in the 2017 case.

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.