Actress assault case: Kerala HC to hear appeal against conviction by Martin Antony, other convicts in Feb

The Kerala High Court on Monday indicated that it would hear appeals filed by Martin Antony and two others who have challenged their conviction and sentence in the actress abduction and sexual assault case on February 4 [Martin Antony v State of Kerala]..Martin Antony is the latest to file such an appeal. When the matter was taken up today, Justice A Badharudeen posted Antony's appeal on February 4, 2026 along with connected appeals by two other convicts.Saleem alias Vadiwal Salim and Pradeep are the other two convicts who have filed appeals before the High Court in the matter. .These persons were among the six persons found guilty by the Principal Sessions Court at Ernakulam for kidnapping and raping a prominent actress in 2017 in a moving vehicle, and for recording visuals of the assault. In December 2025, a trial court sentenced them to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment with fines for the various offences that they were found guilty of. .Martin Antony was accused of driving the vehicle used in the crime. In his appeal, filed last month, Antony has denied the allegations made against him in the case.He claims that he was not present inside the vehicle at the time of the sexual assault and that the only allegation against him was his alleged role in a conspiracy.He states that the prosecution has not alleged his physical participation in the sexual assault. He argues that he, therefore, should not be treated like the other convicts. Rather, he claims that he should be acquitted in the case like actor Dileep. Notably, Dileep was earlier accused of masterminding the assault but he was eventually acquitted by the trial court of the conspiracy charges against him. "The allegation levelled against (Martin Antony) is his participation in a conspiracy. At this juncture it is also equally pertinent to mention herein that the allegation levelled against the Accused No.8 (Dileep) was also his participation in a conspiracy with Accused No.1. When two accused persons involved in a crime are identically situated, the Ld. Trial Court require to give an identical treatment in appreciation of evidence for convicting / acquitting them," Antony's plea stated.The appeal adds that Antony had no criminal antecedents and had spent over 5 years in jail as an under trial prisoner before being granted bail by the Supreme Court in March 2022.Antony has stated that the sentence imposed against him is harsh and excessive and seeks complete acquittal.He has also filed an application seeking the suspension of his jail sentence and release on bail until his appeal is decided by the High Court. .The appeal has been moved by advocates Alex Joseph and Nisha K Peter..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.