Ernakulam Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese, who acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 sexual assault case involving a South Indian actress, said she was not bothered by personal attacks
after intense criticism of her judgement, but warned media and lawyers against publishing news reports that distorted court proceedings.
On December 8, Justice Varghese acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep in the gang rape case, while finding six others, including prime accused Sunil N S alias Pulsar Suni, who directly committed the crime, guilty. Apart from Dileep, the court also acquitted three others in the case.
She pronounced the judgment after years of proceedings marked by extensive witness examination, high-profile testimonies, and several legal challenges. The verdict was widely criticised, and the Kerala government said it would appeal against it as a show of solidarity for the survivor.
The court decided to hear the plea by the six convicted persons on the question of sentence on Friday, but issued a warning, saying that maligning the court in news reports would invite contempt of court proceedings.
Justice Varghese said that she is not bothered by articles on her specifically, but distorted reporting of court proceedings will be dealt with seriously. She also warned those present against recording or transmitting court proceedings in the case. The judge also observed that much of the reporting in the case had failed to comply with the Supreme Court’s guidelines.
What Is The Case About?
According to the case records presented during the trial, accused No. 1 Sunil N.S., also known as Pulsar Suni, along with five others, forcibly entered the actress’s vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. The group abducted her, assaulted her inside the moving car, and subjected her to gang rape while also recording the act.
All six were found guilty under a range of charges including criminal conspiracy under Section 120B of the IPC; wrongful confinement under Section 342; outraging modesty and attempted disrobing under Sections 354 and 354B; kidnapping under Section 366; gang rape under Section 376D; and Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act pertaining to the creation and circulation of obscene material.
Actor Dileep, listed as the eighth accused, faced allegations of conspiring with Pulsar Suni and the gang to orchestrate the crime. The Kerala Crime Branch had also accused him of violating bail conditions during the pendency of the case.
Dileep blamed his ex-wife and prime witness Manju Warrier for what he called a criminal conspiracy against him. He was granted bail on October 3, 2017.
