 |
|
The Supreme Court of India, on Tuesday, granted bail to Sunil N S alias Pulsar Suni, the primary accused in the 2017 case involving the abduction and sexual assault of an actress in Kerala. The court, comprised of Justices A S Oka and Augustine George Masih, acknowledged the significant duration of Suni's imprisonment, exceeding seven and a half years, coupled with the anticipated delay in concluding the trial. The decision highlighted the unlikeliness of the trial concluding within a reasonable timeframe, considering the extensive examination of 261 witnesses and the involvement of nine accused.
The Kerala government, in an affidavit opposing Suni's bail plea, accused actor Dileep, another defendant in the case, of manipulating the trial process through prolonged cross-examination of prosecution witnesses. The government alleged that Dileep's objective was to weaken the evidence against him, both direct and circumstantial, by constructing unsubstantiated counter-narratives. This assertion centered around Dileep's lengthy cross-examination, exceeding 1,800 pages, which the government deemed irrelevant to the core facts of the case.
The prosecution's case revolves around a criminal conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by Dileep, in which Suni, alongside others, abducted and sexually assaulted the actress while in a moving car. Suni has been in custody since February 23, 2017. His path to the Supreme Court seeking bail stemmed from earlier rejections by both the trial court and the Kerala High Court. Suni's appeal emphasized the hardship endured by his family, particularly following the death of his father in April 2023. He cited his family's lack of support and the precarious health of his mother, who resided alone with his niece and required continuous medical attention. Suni also reminded the court of their previous ruling six months ago, granting him the option to reapply for bail if the trial did not conclude within a reasonable period. He had subsequently approached the High Court, only to face rejection again, which led him to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to Pulsar Suni underscores the complexities of the case, the prolonged trial, and the ongoing accusations against Dileep. The court's ruling hinges on the balance between the accused's right to a fair trial and the need to ensure the efficient administration of justice. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the course of the trial and its eventual outcome.