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A Kerala court sentenced Sunil NS, Martin Antony, Manikandan B., Vijesh VP, Salim H., and Pradeep to 20 years for the 2017 actress assault.
The court announced the sentence to the convicted person by around 4.45 pm.
(Representative image)
A court in Kerala’s Ernakulam on Friday sentenced six people convicted in the 2017 actress sexual assault case to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. District and Principal Sessions Court Judge Honey M Varghese sentenced Sunil NS (Pulsar Suni), Martin Antony, Manikandan B., Vijesh VP, Salim H., and Pradeep for gang rape, with additional sentences for related offences to run concurrently.
The court also directed that the victim be paid Rs 5 lakh in compensation and that the pen drive containing the assault visuals remain in the custody of the investigating officer. On December 8, the court had acquitted four accused, including actor Dileep.
The six convicted individuals were found guilty under multiple IPC sections, including 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354(B) (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage modesty), 357 (assault or criminal force in attempt to wrongfully confine a person), 366 (abduction), 376(D) (gang rape), and under IT Act sections 66E (violation of privacy by capturing or transmitting images of a private area without consent) and 67(A) (publishing or transmitting sexually explicit material), news agency PTI reported.
During the hearing on sentencing, the court heard submissions from the defence and prosecution. The convicts sought leniency, citing family responsibilities and health issues. Martin and Pradeep broke down in court, claiming innocence. Special Public Prosecutor V. Aja Kumar argued for the maximum punishment of life imprisonment, stressing the gravity of the crime.
Throughout the proceedings, the court observed that Suni’s actions were more grievous than those of the others and questioned whether identical sentences could be imposed on all under Section 376(D). The judge also urged lawyers and the media not to criticise the judicial process.
The 2017 assault, in which the accused allegedly forced their way into her car and held it under their control for two hours on February 17, had shocked Kerala. Suni sexually assaulted and filmed the actress with the help of the others. Actor Dileep, accused of conspiracy, was later acquitted after a nearly six-year trial.
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December 12, 2025, 18:02 IST
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