A sessions court in Ernakulam is slated to pronounce its verdict today in the case concerning the sexual assault of an actress in 2017.
Mollywood actor Dileep is among the co-accused in the case, on allegations that he conspired to kidnap the actress and engaged others to assault her in retaliation for her disclosing his marital affair to his then-wife, Manju Warrier.
The trial in the case commenced on March 8, 2018, and the verdict will be pronounced today by Additional Special Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese.
The trial was conducted in-camera (meaning behind closed doors and not open to the public and press).
The accused in the case are Sunil NS aka Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh VP, Salim H aka Vadival Salim), Pradeep, Charlie Thomas, P Gopalakrishnan (Dileep), Sanilkumar aka Mesthiri Sanil and Sarath G Nair.
Click here to read a detailed recap of the case.
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Police officers present at the court premises have informed media personnel that they will not be allowed entry to the court during the pronouncement of the verdict
The list of accused:
The main accused were charges under the following sections of the Indian Penal Code:
120B Criminal Conspiracy
109 Abetment of offence
366 Kidnapping or abducting woman to compel marriage or intercourse
354 Sexual assault
354B Use of criminal force on woman with intention to disrobe her
357 Use of criminal force to wrongfully confine a person
376D Gang rape
201 Causing disappearance of evidence
212 Harbouring an offender
34 Acts done with common intention
Both entrances to the court have been barricaded.
Some media personnel have been allowed to enter the courtroom.
Judge Honey Varghese has arrived at the premises.
The verdict will be delivered at 11 am.
BREAKING:
Pulsar Suni and five others (Accused 1-6) found guilty for offences under Sections 120B (conspiracy), 342, 354, 366 (kidnapping), 354B, 357, and 376D (gang rape) of Indian Penal Code and convicted.
They are also found guilty under Sections 67A, 66E of information technology act.
The accused found guilty are - Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh VP, Salim H aka Vadival Salim, Pradeep.
Dileep (A8): NOT GUILTY
Dileep is found NOT GUILTY.
Court will hear accused 1-6 on the question of sentence on December 12. Their bail has been canceled and they will be taken into custody