Kerala Actor Assault Case: HC Rejects Plea of Two More Convicts! Justice Prevails?

In a significant development in the high-profile 2017 Kerala actor assault case, the Kerala High Court has once again firmly stood its ground, rejecting the pleas of two more convicts, Saleem and Pradeep, to suspend their sentences. This decision comes after a thorough review by the Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar, who found compelling evidence indicating a well-orchestrated conspiracy and that the accused had "executed their plan with precision.”

Pradeep, identified as the fifth accused, had contended that he was merely a bus conductor who was picked up by acquaintances after work on the day of the incident and dropped at his residence. Saleem, the sixth accused, claimed to be a call taxi driver, stating that he drove the vehicle from Vennala to Kakkanad, and it was only there that the survivor asked him to purchase water, raising no complaints until that point. Both men asserted their innocence, arguing they had no connection to the crime or the conspiracy and that the prosecution had failed to produce sufficient evidence to prove their involvement.

However, the prosecution painted a different picture, alleging that Pradeep, alongside other accused, played a crucial role in facilitating the gang rape that occurred in February 2017. They further contended that he was involved in abducting the survivor and outraging her modesty, subsequently absconding and attempting to conceal evidence. The High Court, in its deliberation, observed that the Ernakulam Sessions Court had already established Pradeep's presence and involvement. This conclusion was drawn from a comprehensive evaluation of location details, the survivor’s statement, digital evidence, and the overall conduct of the accused during the crime.

The Division Bench’s current decision reinforces earlier rulings in the case. Notably, the High Court had previously denied a similar plea for the suspension of sentence from N.S. Sunil, also known as ‘Pulsar’ Suni, who is the prime accused in the heinous crime. This consistent stance by the judiciary underscores the seriousness with which the case is being handled.

The Ernakulam Sessions Court had convicted six of the accused, handing down stringent punishments. Each convict received 20 years’ imprisonment on two counts of gang rape, an additional 10 years for assault and use of criminal force with the intent to disrobe a woman, and one year of simple imprisonment for wrongful confinement. The latest High Court ruling affirms the judicial process in seeking justice for the survivor in this landmark case that has drawn national attention.

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