Dileep Demands Probe After Acquittal in Assault Case
Actor Dileep has asked for a fresh investigation into what he described as a conspiracy to falsely implicate him in the 2017 abduction and sexual assault case involving a fellow actor. Speaking to the media after his acquittal, he said several individuals had worked together over the years to damage his reputation and career. He alleged that misleading information, public statements and targeted campaigns had contributed to the case against him.
Court verdict
A sessions court recently acquitted Dileep, stating that the evidence presented by the prosecution did not establish that he had planned or directed the assault. While the main accused and several others were convicted on charges related to kidnapping and sexual assault, the court found no proof that Dileep had participated in or financed the crime. The judgment came after years of hearings, witness statements and legal arguments.
Call for investigation
Following the verdict, Dileep said the authorities should now focus on how the allegations were constructed. He claimed that certain people within the industry, along with others connected to the investigation, had played a role in framing him. He has urged the state government to examine events from 2017 onwards to determine whether deliberate attempts were made to implicate him.
Reactions from industry
The case has sharply divided opinions inside the Malayalam film industry. Supporters of the survivor expressed concern that the acquittal sends a difficult message to victims of assault, while Dileep’s supporters argued that he had faced sustained scrutiny without concrete evidence. The debate over investigative lapses, witness protection and fairness of procedure is expected to continue.
