Nine-Year Legal Battle Ends: Dileep Acquitted

Malayalam actor Dileep has been acquitted by a Kerala court in a high profile assault case. The court stated that the prosecution failed to prove his involvement in the criminal conspiracy.

However six others in the case were convicted for crimes including criminal conspiracy, wrongful confinement, assault to outrage modesty, abduction, attempt to disrobe and gang rape. The verdict was delivered by Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese.

Dileep who faced these allegations since 2017, thanked everyone who supported him during the nine year ordeal. He claimed that the conspiracy was orchestrated by his former wife, Manju Warrier and a senior police officer, who used media and social media to harm his reputation.

Dileep said “The fake story fell apart in court. The real conspiracy was against me. These nine years ruined my life and image”.

The case relates to the abduction and sexual assault of a leading Malayalam actress in Kochi on February 17, 2017. Dileep was arrested in July 2017 granted bail in October and after a long trial with 261 witnesses he has now been cleared.

“This was a conspiracy against me” : Actor Dileep on verdict acquitting him of all charges in 2017 actress assault case @radhika1705 pic.twitter.com/7TNRDVTt5n

— NDTV (@ndtv) December 8, 2025