Minutes after he was acquitted in the 2017 assault case, Malayalam actor Dileep emerged from the district sessions court in Ernakulam to a sea of people, including media persons and jubilant supporters, and made a statement. The first thing he said: “It was after Manju’s statement that there was a criminal conspiracy in the (actor’s sexual assault) case that a conspiracy began against me.”
He was referring to Manju Warrier, one of Malayalam cinema’s most well-known actors and Dileep’s ex-wife.
sessions court convicted six of those accused in the case, but acquitted Dileep, who had been accused of criminal conspiracy.
Two days after the actor was assaulted in 2017, Malayalam film industry professionals gathered in Kochi to protest against the crime. It was then that Manju Warrier raised the prospect that the incident could be the result of a conspiracy.
Warrier, who was among other eminent film professionals who spoke at the protest, had said, “It is very difficult to express through words what I feel. I met her yesterday after I heard about the incident. I am proud of her as she is fighting back.”
“Whoever is behind this criminal conspiracy should be brought to light,” she said. The same day, the victim filed a complaint.
Five months later, Dileep was arrested in the case, accused of having conspired with Pulsar Suni, a history-sheeter known to be close to many in the film industry and the first accused in the case, to allegedly sexually assault the victim and record the act.
The prosecution alleged that Dileep’s motive was revenge, claiming that he held the victim responsible for wrecking his marriage with Manju Warrier.
Dileep spent 85 days in Aluva jail before walking out on bail. Pulsar Suni is one of the six men who have been pronounced guilty.