Overview
- An Ernakulam court found six accused, including prime accused Pulsar Suni, guilty of gangrape, wrongful confinement, destruction of evidence and taking and distributing obscene images, while acquitting actor Dileep of conspiracy.
- Kerala’s law minister said the government will appeal the acquittal in the High Court.
- The court is yet to pronounce the quantum of sentence for the six convicted.
- Editorials and rights advocates flagged a contradiction in the judgment that proved a conspiracy among assailants but found the case against an alleged mastermind unproven beyond reasonable doubt.
- The case spurred industry reforms through the WCC and the Justice K. Hema committee, led to POSH compliance orders for film sets, and drew criticism of groups moving to reinstate Dileep as supporters rallied under ‘Avalkkoppam’.