Setback for Pulsar Suni; High Court dismisses plea seeking suspension of sentence in actress assault case

KOCHI: The High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea filed by Pulsar Suni, the prime accused in the actress assault case, seeking suspension of his sentence pending the disposal of his appeal. A trial court had sentenced Pulsar Suni to 20 years in prison. His appeal challenging the conviction and sentence is currently pending before the High Court. While the appeal is yet to be decided, Suni had requested the court to suspend his sentence until a final verdict is delivered.

The prosecution opposed the plea, arguing that suspending the sentence would undermine the seriousness of the crime. It also told the court that Suni is a habitual offender and urged that the sentence should not be suspended. The survivor also opposed the plea, pointing out that the trial court had found the first accused guilty of a heinous crime. After hearing the arguments of both sides, the High Court dismissed the petition.

All six convicted accused in the actress assault case were sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000 each. Those convicted are Pulsar Suni (first accused), Martin Antony (second accused), B. Manikandan (third accused), V.P. Vijeesh (fourth accused), Vadival Salim (fifth accused), and Pradeep (sixth accused). Although all six received the same 20-year prison term, Pulsar Suni is expected to be released first because he has already spent around seven and a half years in jail during the trial. This period will be set off against his sentence, leaving him to serve the remaining 13 years.