The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court in Kerala on Friday awarded 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) to the six men convicted in the 2017 case concerning the abduction and sexual assault of a prominent Malayalam actress.
Presiding Judge Honey M. Varghese pronounced the sentence, which covers charges including gang rape, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. All punishments for the convicts, including prime accused Sunil N S, alias ‘Pulsar’ Suni, will run concurrently, resulting in a unified 20-year jail term.
The court also levied a fine of ₹50,000 on each, with the accumulated funds directed to be paid to the survivor as compensation.
“A1 to A6 are sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 20 years and also to pay a fine of ₹50,000 each for the offence punishable under section 376D (gangrape) of IPC and in default of payment of fine to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of one year for the offence under section 376D,” the court ruled.
Court Ruling
The sentencing brought to a conclusion a trial that lasted nearly seven years, concluding the immediate judicial process for the six convicts. Judge Varghese explicitly stated that the court would not be influenced by the “sensational bias of the case,” aiming to “balance justice for society and the offender.”
The court noted that while the crime was a blot on the “supreme dignity of women” and caused significant “psychological trauma“ to the victim, no circumstances warranted the maximum punishment.
“The act violated her right to safety and created fear, humiliation, pushing her into shame and helplessness. It also caused psychological trauma, causing mental distress,” the court said.
The judge considered several mitigating factors, including the age of the accused (all below 40) and the lack of prior criminal antecedents for five of the six men.
Disappointment Expressed
The court’s decision to award the minimum sentence prescribed for gang rape immediately drew criticism from the prosecution side. Special Public Prosecutor V Aja Kumar voiced his disappointment, stating that the court had awarded the minimum punishment for each charge, which he felt would “send a wrong message to the society.”
He confirmed that the prosecution, which had argued for the maximum possible punishment, would appeal against the sentence. Furthermore, Kerala’s Culture Minister, Saji Cheriyan, echoed this sentiment, asserting that the state government respects the verdict but will thoroughly study the court order and take appropriate measures, reiterating that the “State stands with the survivor.”
2017 Kerala Actress Assault Case
The 2017 case refers to the horrific abduction and sexual assault of a leading Malayalam film actress in February 2017. The crime occurred inside her moving vehicle near Kochi, Kerala.
The prosecution established that the assault was meticulously planned, involving a gang led by prime accused Pulsar Suni, who carried out the crime and recorded it on video.
This high-profile incident shocked the nation, triggering widespread condemnation and intense public discussion about the safety of women, particularly those in the film industry, and led to long-term scrutiny of the Malayalam cinema establishment.
Actor Dileep’s Acquittal
Actor Dileep, one of the primary suspects and the eighth accused in the case, was acquitted by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on the charge of criminal conspiracy (IPC 120B) on December 8, 2025.
The prosecution had alleged that Dileep orchestrated the crime, hiring the main accused due to long-standing personal resentment against the actress.
While the six co-accused were convicted and sentenced, the trial judge invoked the Latin phrase “Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum” (Let justice be done though the heavens fall) in the 1,709-page order regarding the acquittal. The prosecution and the state government have since confirmed they will appeal the acquittal in the High Court.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While the court’s emphasis on legal principles over public pressure is a hallmark of an independent judiciary, the verdict highlights a recurrent societal challenge: defining ‘adequate’ justice in heinous crimes against women.
The survivor’s courage throughout this ordeal has already spurred positive shifts in the Malayalam film industry, promoting safer working spaces.
