Kochi: Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev has announced that the government will file an appeal against the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court’s verdict in the 2017 actress assault case. On Monday, Judge Honey M Varghese acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep while convicting six others, including prime accused Sunil NS, alias Pulsar Suni, who carried out the attack.

In a Facebook post, Minister Rajeev said the decision to challenge the December 8 verdict in the higher court was taken after discussions with the Chief Minister. With this, the state government has reiterated its solidarity with the survivor.

Soon after the verdict was delivered, Minister Saji Cherian declared that the government would continue to stand firmly with the survivor.

“Courts issue judgments based on evidence. Decisions on conviction and acquittal are taken after considering the evidence presented. We are awaiting the detailed judgment. The LDF government will always support the survivor. No VIP can escape the law. The investigation in this case was also conducted with this approach,” he told reporters.

He added that he would issue a detailed response after studying the judgment. He pointed out that the government would take strict measures to prevent similar crimes in the future.

Can’t say prosecution failed, says VD Satheesan
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader VD Satheesan recalled the crucial role played by the late MLA PT Thomas in pushing the case forward.

“(The then) Thrikkakkara MLA PT Thomas played a major role in bringing the culprits before the law. Without his intervention, this case might have closed much earlier,” Satheesan said.

He also urged the government and police to establish a more efficient mechanism to ensure women’s safety in the state. Satheesan emphasised that the government should appeal against the trial court's order acquitting four accused, including Dileep.

Reiterating Minister Saji Cherian’s remarks on the centrality of evidence, he said: “If the prosecution is dissatisfied with the order, it will move an appeal before a higher court. I’m a lawyer too, so I cannot say whether the prosecution failed to prove the charges or not.”

Besides Sunil, the others convicted are Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh V P, Salim H, and Pradeep -- the first six accused in the case.

They were charged under Sections 120A (conspiracy), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 109 (abetment of offence), 342 (wrongful confinement), 366 (kidnapping or abducting a woman), 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with an intent to outrage her modesty), 354B (use of criminal force to disrobe a woman), 357 (use of criminal force to wrongfully confine a person), 376D (gang rape), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 212 (harbouring an offender) and 34 (common intention) of IPC.

The court will consider the matter on December 12, when the quantum of punishment is expected to be announced.

While the first six accused were convicted on all counts, Dileep and three others were fully discharged.