Today(12th August), the Supreme Court sought the Kerala government’s response on the third bail plea of Sunil NS, known as ‘Pulsar’ Suni, an accused in the 2017 Kerala actress assault case involving actor Dileep. The court also stayed the High Court’s order for Suni to deposit Rs. 25,000 as costs.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has requested a response from the Kerala government regarding the third bail application submitted by Sunil NS, also known as ‘Pulsar’ Suni, an accused in the infamous 2017 Kerala actress assault case, where Malayalam actor Dileep is also implicated.
A Bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih issued a notice to the State of Kerala today(on 12th August), staying the Kerala High Court’s direction to Suni to deposit Rs.25,000 as costs. The High Court had earlier mandated this payment following the dismissal of Suni’s tenth bail application.
The Supreme Court, however, ordered-
“Notice to be issued. Meanwhile, the order imposing costs is stayed.”
The Supreme Court has scheduled the case for further consideration on August 27, 2024.
Background of the Case
Sunil NS, known widely as ‘Pulsar’ Suni, is one of the main accused in a conspiracy that allegedly led to the abduction and sexual assault of a prominent Malayalam actress in 2017. The actress was reportedly kidnapped, driven around in a car, photographed, and sexually assaulted, with actor Dileep allegedly orchestrating the crime.
Suni was apprehended in February 2017 and has been incarcerated since then, being named the first accused in the case. Over the years, his legal team has made several attempts to secure his release on bail, with his first appeal made to the Kerala High Court in March 2022. This plea was promptly rejected.
Following the High Court’s dismissal of his bail plea in 2022, Suni escalated the matter to the Supreme Court. However, the apex court denied him bail in July 2022, stating that he could renew his application if the trial did not conclude within a reasonable time frame.
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Despite the Supreme Court’s guidance, Suni’s subsequent bail plea to the Kerala High Court in March 2023 was also rejected. The High Court emphasized the gravity of the offense as a primary reason for denying bail, reasoning that releasing the accused on bail could potentially hinder the ongoing judicial process.
Suni’s legal counsel, which includes advocates K Parameshwar, Sriram Parakkat, and Satheesh Mohanan, has consistently argued that while they do not dispute the seriousness of the alleged crime, the prolonged criminal trial should not translate into a punishment for the accused.
“The criminal trial process should not serve as his punishment.”
-his legal team asserted in their appeal.
In addition to the legal arguments, Suni’s defense has also highlighted the personal and social ramifications of his continued imprisonment.
According to his plea-
“His family has been ostracized due to his involvement in the case, and his elderly mother is also unwell.”
These circumstances, his defense argued, add to the urgency of granting him bail.
Suni’s third bail application before the Supreme Court marks another chapter in this prolonged legal saga. After the High Court’s latest dismissal in April last year, the Supreme Court was once again petitioned, and it denied bail for the second time.
Despite these setbacks, Suni’s legal team continues to push for his release, emphasizing the potential injustice of indefinite incarceration without a concluded trial. This led to the filing of the third round of bail pleas, bringing the case once again before the Supreme Court.
