The verdict in the 2017 actress assault case in Kerala was announced earlier this month. While actor Dileep, who was one of the accused, was acquitted, six people were convicted of the crime. Now, one of the six convicted has moved the Kerala High Court, challenging the trial court verdict. The convict argued that the court failed to properly consider evidence showing his non-involvement in the crime.

Convicted challenges trial court verdict

The convict, identified as Martin, has sought the setting aside of his conviction and sentence. In the appeal, Martin, who was the second accused in the case, challenged the claim that he helped pick up the survivor, staged a fake accident and facilitated the abduction, besides allegedly destroying evidence by disposing of his mobile phone SIM card. Martin contended that key prosecution witnesses did not establish any association, prior contact or conspiracy between him and the other accused in the case. He pointed out that the trial court itself recorded findings that the prosecution had failed to prove the alleged conspiracy.