A Kerala court on Monday delivered a major verdict in one of the most closely watched criminal cases in the Malayalam film industry. The court acquitted actor Dileep of conspiracy charges in the 2017 abduction and sexual assault of a leading actress, Bhavana Menon, while convicting six other accused.
The ruling ends an eight-year legal battle that changed the film industry, triggered national outrage, and pushed the survivor to speak openly about her trauma.
What Was the Dileep Case?
The incident occurred on the night of 17 February 2017, when the actress was traveling from Thrissur to Kochi for work the next morning. A group of men allegedly stopped her car, forced their way in, abducted her, and sexually assaulted her inside the moving vehicle.
They also filmed the attack. She later said the men recorded the videos because “maybe they wanted to blackmail me”.
The survivor worked in over 80 films and won several awards. Years later, she waived her anonymity and said the assault “turned my life upside down” and that “I have been to hell and back”.
How Dileep Was Linked to the Case
Investigators claimed that the prime accused, along with others, acted on the instructions of actor Dileep, who allegedly held a personal grudge. Dileep denied all the allegations.
He was arrested in July 2017 and spent nearly three months in custody before getting bail. He was named among a dozen accused persons.
The Trial of Dileep Case: A Long and Complicated Journey
The trial court examined hundreds of witnesses, reviewed digital evidence, and heard multiple petitions over the years.
During this time, several witnesses turned hostile. New allegations, counter-allegations, and petitions slowed the process, making it one of Kerala’s longest-running cases involving a public figure.
Bhavana Menon continued to fight, and in 2022, she publicly described her “difficult journey from being a victim to a survivor”.
The Verdict: Acquittal and Convictions
On Monday, the court ruled that the evidence did not prove Dileep’s role in the conspiracy, and he was acquitted of all charges. Six other accused were convicted for abduction, sexual assault, conspiracy, and for recording the crime. Their sentencing will take place on 12 December.
Outside the courtroom, security was tight as police barricaded entrances to control crowds.
Reactions After the Judgment
This case sparked deep discussions about power, exploitation, and safety in the film industry. The assault in 2017 had shaken trust in industry safeguards. The conviction of the six guilty men sends a message that perpetrators can be held accountable.
For many, the acquittal of Dileep raises issues about the burden of proof, fairness of trial, and evidence standards in sexual assault cases involving influential individuals. The outcome may shape public trust in the justice system for survivors and influence the future handling of similar cases.
