TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains mention of sexual assaultTwo men convicted in the 2017 sexual assault case against an actress have approached the Kerala High Court challenging their criminal convictions. Seeking to quash the judgment of the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on December 12th, they have also filed a petition seeking a stay of the sentence and bail while the appeal is pending. While the sexual assault case involving a popular actress has attracted national attention for years, the appeal process that recently began in the high court has sparked renewed debate.
Procedural defects delay hearing
As per Onmanorama, it is reported that both Salim and Pradeep, who are referred to as the complainants, have filed separate criminal appeals. When Justice Pechu Kurian Thomas heard these petitions, the court observed that the registry had identified certain procedural flaws. The court ordered that the case be reopened following the court vacation, giving the petitioners time to address those shortcomings. As a result, the official appeal hearing hasn’t begun yet.
Six sentenced to rigorous imprisonment
The Ernakulam Sessions Court, which had earlier heard the case, had found six people guilty of serious charges including gang rape. The six were sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment each, saying they were convicted under Section 376(D) of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with criminal conspiracy, criminal conspiracy, etc. They were also convicted under various sections of the Act, including kidnapping, illegal confinement and offences under the Information Technology Act.
Appeal claims lack of evidence
On appeal, Salim and Pradeep have completely denied the allegations about their role. They have no connection to the criminal conspiracy or the crime itself, and also argued that the prosecution had failed to present direct or prima facie evidence implicating them. Furthermore, since important questions of law and facts are raised in the appeal, they have also requested that the sentence be suspended and bail granted due to the possibility of a delay in the final verdict. It is noteworthy that while four others, including Pulsar Suni, have been declared guilty in the same case, some, including actor Dileep, were previously acquitted.Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on reported news of court proceedings and legal claims. It does not constitute legal advice or a definitive statement on the outcome of the case. Readers should not rely solely on this information for making legal or commercial decisions.
About the Author
