Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government will move an appeal challenging the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court's verdict that acquitted four accused, including actor Dileep, in the actress assault case. Sources close to the government said the appeal is likely to be filed within a week. It is learnt that the government has issued instructions to the prosecution in this regard.

Ministers P Rajeev, V Sivankutty and Saji Cherian had announced this decision soon after Judge Honey M Varghese convicted six accused and acquitted four in the case.

On Sunday, Minister Rajeev expressed disappointment over the judgment and said a decision would be taken after consultations with the Director General of Prosecution.

Seven accused — Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh V P, Saleem H and Pradeep — were found guilty in the case. The six convicts were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a term of 20 years. In its December 8 order, the trial court acquitted actor Dileep alias P Gopalakrishnan, Charley Thomas, Sanilkumar alias Mesthiri Sanil, and Sarath G Nair.

Anonymous letter allegedly leaked verdict
Investigating officer DySP Baiju has informed the Director General of Police (DGP) about the alleged leaking of the trial court’s verdict through an anonymous letter. According to the complaint filed by the DySP, some people had received anonymous letters a week before the judgment day.

The High Court Advocates Association president has also filed a complaint with the Chief Justice of India, seeking a probe into the alleged verdict leak.