Kerala Awaits Verdict in Actress Assault Case; Manju Warrier’s Statement Marked Turning Point

Kochi: Kerala awaits a crucial verdict today in the actress assault case. It was actress Manju Warrier who first revealed that there was a criminal conspiracy behind the incident. She made this revelation while speaking at a solidarity gathering in Kochi, where film industry members came together to support the assaulted actress. This marked a turning point in the investigation. What began as a case involving a driver and his accomplices soon led to the inclusion of major figures in the list of accused.

On February 17, 2017, one of Malayalam cinema’s leading young actress was assaulted inside a moving car. She filed a police complaint the same night. On February 18, her driver, Martin Antony, was taken into custody. Soon after, it was confirmed that the key accused was Sunil Kumar, known as “Pulsar Suni,” a driver working in the film industry. Between February 19 and 21, arrests were made one after another.

A protest meeting was held in Kochi on February 20, just days after the attack. After this, the investigation extended into the upper levels of the film industry.

On July 10, 2017—five months after the incident—actor Dileep was arrested. The police concluded that the crime stemmed from personal animosity due to family issues, and that the conspiracy had begun back in 2013. Dileep spent 85 days in Aluva sub-jail. There are 10 accused in the case. Pulsar Suni is the first accused. Martin Antony, B. Manikandan (Thammanam Manikandan), V.P. Vijesh, H. Saleem (Vadival Salim), Pradeep, and Charlie Thomas are Accused 2 to 7. Dileep is Accused No. 8. Sanil Kumar (Mesthiri Sanil) is Accused No. 9, and Dileep’s friend G. Sharath is Accused No. 10. The investigation officer is DySP Baiju Paulose.

Manju Warrier’s words at the protest gathering:

“We have all gathered here today with deep sorrow, and even more anger. This is a feeling words alone cannot express. A very close friend of mine has gone through this horrible experience. I met her yesterday. I was amazed at the calmness and mental strength with which she faced such a situation. I felt proud of her," Manju Warrier said.

"I pray that no woman should ever have to face such an ordeal again. Many drivers, including the ones standing here, have safely dropped us home at midnight. So there is no point blaming every colleague. But what has happened here is a criminal conspiracy. We can only offer our full support to bring those behind this crime to justice. A woman deserves the same respect from a man—inside the home and outside—as she gives him. That is the message I want to convey,” she added.