Kochi: In a major verdict in the 2017 actress assault case, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Thursday acquitted actor Dileep while convicting the first six accused, including prime accused Pulsar Suni. Judge Honey M Varghese ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the conspiracy charge (120B) against Dileep. The sentencing of the convicted accused will be announced on Friday.

The court found Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, B Manikandan, V P Vijeesh, H Salim and Pradeep guilty of abducting and assaulting the actress inside a moving car in February 2017. Several others, including Charley Thomas, Sanilkumar, and Sarath G Nair, were acquitted, along with two lawyers linked to the missing mobile phone that allegedly contained key visuals of the crime.

The case, which drew national attention, involved allegations of conspiracy, evidence destruction and multiple investigation lapses. All accused, including Dileep, were present during the verdict. The assault, carried out while the actress was travelling for a film shoot, led to swift arrests in 2017 and years of intense legal scrutiny.