Kochi: Two persons convicted in the 2017 actress assault case have approached the Kerala High Court challenging their conviction and sentence, and seeking suspension of sentence pending appeal.

Separate criminal appeals have been filed by Salim alias Vadival Salim and Pradeep against the judgment dated December 12 passed by the Principal Sessions Court, Ernakulam.

When the appeals came up before Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas on Friday, the court noted defects pointed out by the registry regarding the maintainability of the petitions. Granting time to the appellants to cure the defects, the court posted the matter after the court vacation.

The trial court had convicted six accused for offences including gang rape under Section 376(D) of the Indian Penal Code, along with charges of criminal conspiracy, abduction, wrongful confinement and offences under the Information Technology Act. All six were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, with fines imposed under various counts.

In their appeals, Salim and Pradeep contended that they had no role in the alleged conspiracy or in the commission of the crime. They argued that the prosecution failed to produce even primary or direct evidence to establish their involvement beyond reasonable doubt.

The two accused have also filed applications seeking suspension of sentence and release on bail, citing substantial questions of law and fact raised in their appeals and the likelihood of delay in final adjudication.

Apart from Salim and Pradeep, the trial court found Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B and Vijeesh V P guilty and sentenced them to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. In its December 8 order, the court acquitted actor Dileep alias P Gopalakrishnan, Charley Thomas, Sanilkumar alias Mesthiri Sanil and Sarath G Nair.
(With BarandBench inputs.)