Justice Served: Kerala Court Sentences Six to 20 Years in Actress Sexual Assault Case, Including Notorious Pulsar Suni
Six individuals were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in the brutal gang-rape of an actress in Kerala’s Ernakulam district in 2017. The verdict, issued by Judge Honey M. Varghese, found the convicts-Sunil NS (popularly known as Pulsar Suni), Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh VP, Salim H, and Pradeep-guilty on multiple counts under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The court’s decision also mandated a compensation of ₹5 lakh to be paid to the victim and ordered that the pen drive containing videos of the assault remain with the investigating officer. Notably, four other accused, including actor Dileep, were acquitted in December 2022 after a protracted trial that lasted nearly six years.
The convicted men were charged under various IPC sections, including 120(B) for criminal conspiracy, and 376(D) for gang rape. They also faced charges under the Information Technology Act for privacy violations and the transmission of explicit content. During the sentencing phase, the defendants appealed for leniency, citing family and health concerns. Emotional pleas came from Martin Antony and Pradeep, who claimed they were the primary earners for their families and maintained their innocence.
Special Public Prosecutor V. Aja Kumar urged the court to impose the maximum sentence for the heinous crime, emphasizing the severity of women’s safety violations. He expressed disappointment that the sentence was only the minimum 20 years for gang rape, suggesting it sends a troubling message about the legal ramifications of such crimes. “The court has given only the minimum sentence for the crime of gang rape. It gives a wrong message,” he remarked, indicating plans to advise the government to appeal for a harsher punishment.
The attack occurred on February 17, 2017, when the accused allegedly forced their way into the actress’s vehicle, holding her captive for two hours. During that time, Pulsar Suni sexually assaulted her while the co-accused assisted in recording the act. Dileep, who initially faced charges of conspiracy, was later acquitted.
This high-profile case continues to attract public attention, highlighting the critical issues of women’s safety and the judicial response to sexual violence in India. As the legal proceedings draw closer to a conclusion, the conversation surrounding harsher penalties for sexual crimes remains a significant focal point in societal discourse.
The verdict marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for justice in sexual assault cases, reinforcing the need for robust legal frameworks to protect victims and hold offenders accountable. The fallout from this case may influence future legislative measures aimed at strengthening women’s rights and safety across the nation.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/actress-sexual-assault-case-kerala-court-sentences-six-persons-to-20-years-in-prison-11765539439014.html
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Publish Date: 2025-12-12 17:54:00
