The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Friday sentenced all six convicts to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment in the 2017 actress attack case. The judgment delivered by Justice Honey M Varghese found the accused guilty of kidnapping with intent to rape (Indian Penal Code section 366), criminal conspiracy (IPC 120B) and gang rape (IPC 376D). A fine of Rs 50,000 has also been imposed on each convict, and in default of payment of the fine, there will be an additional imprisonment of one year.
The first accused, Pulsar Suni, was sentenced to an additional five years under the IT Act, but the court made it clear that all the sentences would run concurrently. The court also directed that a copy of the pen drive containing the video footage be preserved by investigating officer Baiju Paulose. The sessions court had earlier acquitted Malayalam actor and eighth accused Dileep in the 2017 case.
The case pertains to an actress working in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films, who was allegedly abducted and molested by a group of men who forced their way into her car on the night of February 17, 2017. Meanwhile, Kerala Culture Minister Saji Cherian said the government would review the verdict and take necessary action, as the maximum punishment has not been given to the culprits.
Cherian said, “The court’s verdict cannot be commented on without a detailed and authentic study. The real question is whether the victim got justice. Maximum punishment was expected, and since it did not happen, the government will thoroughly investigate the verdict and take necessary action.”
“There has been no lapse on the part of the prosecution. It is not possible to give any definite response without studying the verdict. Our judicial system has seen variety of verdicts in the past too. Since maximum justice has not been ensured, steps will be taken to ensure maximum punishment. Further action will also be taken to bring clarity about those involved in the conspiracy,” the Kerala minister said.