Kerala Court Verdict Looms in Actor Assault Case

After nearly eight years, a Kerala court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Monday in a significant 2017 sexual assault case. The proceedings involve Malayalam actor Dileep, who is among ten individuals accused of abducting and assaulting a prominent female actor. The incident occurred in February 2017 when the victim was allegedly molested inside her car for approximately two hours in Kochi.

The trial faced numerous delays, including directives from the Supreme Court for its expedited completion and setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Special prosecutors resigned, and multiple petitions were filed before higher courts, further complicating the judicial process. A 2021 order for further investigation followed allegations that Dileep possessed visuals of the assault, adding another layer to the complex case.

Investigators compiled extensive evidence, examining 261 witnesses, some of whom later changed their statements. Despite the loss of two key witnesses during the trial, authorities expressed confidence in the evidence presented. The legal battle also saw new guidelines implemented for handling explicit evidence following concerns about unauthorized access to a crucial memory card.