Crime News

In a landmark judgment delivered nearly eight years after the incident, a special court in Kochi pronounced its verdict in the high-profile Kerala actress assault case, an episode that had sent shockwaves across the state and the Indian film industry. The case, which occurred in 2017, involved the abduction and sexual assault of a prominent Malayalam film actress while she was traveling in a car, triggering nationwide outrage and intense public debate on women’s safety and justice. After years of prolonged legal proceedings, detailed investigations, and numerous hearings, the court found key accused persons guilty, including the prime accused who executed the crime. Several others involved in facilitating and carrying out the assault were also convicted. The judgment marked a significant moment in Kerala’s legal history, highlighting the seriousness with which crimes against women are being addressed by the judiciary. At the same time, the court acquitted actor Dileep, who had been named as an accused for allegedly conspiring in the crime, citing lack of sufficient evidence to establish his involvement beyond reasonable doubt. The acquittal sparked strong reactions from various sections of society, including legal experts, women’s rights activists, and members of the film fraternity, leading to renewed discussions on accountability, evidence standards, and justice for survivors. The verdict has been widely described as a turning point in conversations around gender justice, survivor rights, and the criminal justice process. While the conviction of the primary perpetrators was seen as a step toward justice, the case continues to evoke complex emotions and debates, underlining the challenges faced by survivors in long-drawn legal battles. The judgment remains a significant chapter in Kerala’s social and judicial history.

Ernakulam: Police have registered a case after an online platform detected a major fraud at its delivery hubs in Ernakulam district, where mobile phones worth Rs 1.61 crore were reported missing, officials said on Friday. Based on a complaint lodged by Flipkart’s enforcement officer, the Ernakulam Rural Cyber Police registered a case and launched an investigation on Thursday, they said. According to police, the fraud was detected by Flipkart at its delivery hubs in Kanjoor, Kuruppampady, Mekkad, and Muvattupuzha in this district. A case has been registered against Siddiqy K Aliyar, Jassim Dileep, Haris P A and Mahin Noushad, who were in charge of the Kanjoor, Kuruppampady, Mekkad and Muvattupuzha hubs respectively. As per the FIR, the accused ordered 332 mobile phones from the Flipkart platform between August 8 and October 10, 2025, using fake addresses and different mobile numbers. The phones, worth Rs 1.61 crore, included models from Apple (iPhone), Samsung Galaxy, Vivo and iQOO. According to the FIR, 38 phones worth Rs 18.14 lakh were ordered from the Kanjoor hub; 87 phones worth Rs 40.97 lakh from the Kuruppampady hub; 101 phones worth Rs 48.66 lakh from the Mekkad hub; and 106 phones worth Rs 53.41 lakh from the Muvattupuzha hub. All these phones were reported missing after they arrived at the respective delivery centres, the FIR stated. Police said a case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating and forgery, along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act. “The investigation has just begun. We are collecting further details and will interrogate the accused persons soon,” a police officer said. 

Kalady police have confirmed that the death of 19-year-old Chithrapriya, an aviation student from Kochi, was a case of murder. The young woman had been reported missing earlier, and her decomposed body was later recovered from a forested area near Malayattoor, causing widespread shock and concern across Ernakulam district. According to police investigations, the incident was not accidental. Evidence collected from the scene, along with forensic findings and interrogation of suspects, indicated that Chithrapriya was deliberately killed. Police officials stated that the crime appears to be linked to personal issues, and the investigation moved swiftly after crucial leads were established. The Kalady police took suspects into custody and carried out detailed questioning to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crime. Officials confirmed that further legal procedures, including arrests and the filing of charges, are being carried out as per law. The case has drawn attention to youth safety and relationship-related crimes, prompting calls for stronger awareness and preventive measures. Authorities assured that the investigation is being handled with seriousness and transparency, and that justice will be ensured for the victim. The tragic death of Chithrapriya has deeply affected the local community and renewed discussions on safety, mental health, and support systems for young students.