Kochi, July 9 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Thursday reserved for interim orders a petition filed by the convicts in the sensational 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case seeking suspension of their sentence pending disposal of their appeal.

The plea was moved by Pulsar Suni and the other convicts, who are challenging the judgment of the trial court.

The High Court heard detailed submissions from both the defence and the prosecution before reserving its interim order.

The survivor, through her counsel, strongly opposed the plea, arguing that the trial court had conclusively found the first accused guilty after holding that a heinous offence had been committed.

Granting suspension of sentence at this stage, she contended, would send a wrong signal and could be perceived as undermining the gravity of the crime.

The prosecution also urged the court to reject the plea, pointing out that the state’s appeal seeking enhancement of the sentence imposed on the convicts is already pending before the High Court.

Opposing any interim relief, the prosecution argued that the first accused is a hardened criminal with a history of repeated offences.

The state further submitted that the court had earlier imposed costs on the first accused for repeatedly filing bail applications.

It also told the court that within a month of securing bail from the Supreme Court, he was again named as an accused in another criminal case, reinforcing its contention that he is a habitual offender.

The case stems from the abduction and sexual assault of the prominent Malayalam actress in February 2017 while she was travelling in a car from Thrissur to Kochi.

The actress was allegedly abducted by a gang, assaulted inside the moving vehicle, and recorded the entire incident on a mobile phone before releasing her.

The crime sent shockwaves across the country and triggered one of Kerala’s longest-running and most closely watched criminal trials.

While several accused, including Pulsar Suni, were convicted by the trial court, actor Dileep and a few others were acquitted.

The High Court will now decide whether the sentences imposed on the convicted accused should remain in force pending disposal of their appeal.

–IANS

sg/vd