In 2017, a well-known Malayalam actress was sexually assaulted in a moving car in Kochi - an incident that would go on to become one of the most unsettling ones in the recent socio-legal history in Indian cinema. The brutal crime committed against the actor was captured on camera by the assailants, which shattered the public perceptions of the Malayalam film industry and exposed deep rooted structural inequalities and power dynamics along the way. What followed was a legal battle that stretched over a period of eight years marked by shocking revelations, public outcry, polarization and eventual conviction and acquittals. This case remains a litmus test for the position and power of women when measured against men who hold higher positions in hierarchy. This article chronologically traces the key events in the case while exploring the idea of influence, gendered silence, and the pursuit of justice. Chronology of events: 2017 A prominent Malayalam actress is assaulted in a moving car in Kochi. Pulsar Suni (N. S. Sunil) is identified as the main accused. The attack is recorded. The survivor is left at an actor-director's residence. Actor's driver Martin Antony is arrested. Notable actors from the industry show support for the survivor; Dileep also joins in solidarity. The first chargesheet names Pulsar Suni and six others as accused. The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) is formed who approach the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. A letter and a voice note allegedly from Suni to Dileep emerge. Dileep and director Nadirsha admit receiving a call demanding ₹1.5 crore to keep Dileep's name out from the case. Suni's aide is arrested for the extortion attempt. The SIT (Special Investigation Team) arrests Dileep for alleged conspiracy on July 10, 2017. Police claim that the conspiracy dates back as early as 2013 and Suni was promised ₹1.5 crore to commit the crime. Public backlash leads to Dileep's expulsion from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). Suni's lawyer Pratheesh Chacko is accused of allegedly destroying crucial evidence of assault. Pratheesh is arrested. Dileep's third bail plea is rejected; he is later granted conditional bail after 84 days in custody. The investigation team files a 650-page subsidiary chargesheet listing 12 accused: Dileep as the eighth, with Majnu Warrier, his former wife as a key witness. The court accepts the chargesheet, which includes over 50 film-industry witnesses. 2018 Dileep approaches the High Court and the Supreme Court with a plea to access the visuals of the assault. Both courts reject the plea. Honey M. Varghese is appointed as the judge at survivor's request. ADGP Sandhya, who led the investigation team is transferred. AMMA reinstates Dileep with superstar Mohanlal as the president, but he declines. 2019 The Trial begins but pauses after the survivor seeks a transfer to another court. 2020 Charges are formally framed against Dileep, Pulsar Suni and eight others. The trail begins, three years later. Several actors including Bhamaa, Sidhique, Edavela Babu and Bindu Panicker turn hostile. The survivor alleges bias against the prosecution; moves to Kerala High Court asking Judge Honey M. Varghese to be replaced. The appeal is rejected. The Kerala government approaches the Supreme court requesting a different judge. The appeal is rejected. 2021 Director Balachandra Kumar alleges Dileep had earlier access to the assault visuals and his family members and a VIP guest had watched the visuals. He also alleged that he saw Pulsar Suni at the actor's residence. Following this revelation, the Crime Branch expands the investigation V.N. Anilkumar, a Special Public Prosecutor resigns reportedly due to differences with Judge Honey M. Varghese. 2022 A new FIR is filed against Dileep based on Balachandra's revelations The survivor reveals her identity for the first time in an Instagram post. The survivor requests the Chief Justice Of India to probe alleged leaks of the assault visuals from the trial court. Investigators submit digital evidence and audio clips from Balachandra to the court. The High Court and The Supreme court dismiss the plea of the survivor to transfer trail to another court 2023 The Supreme Court declines re-examination of the witnesses The Supreme Court denies bail of Pulsar Suni. The Supreme Court orders the trail to be completed by July 31. 2024 The Crime Branch seeks cancellation of Dileep's bail; the High Court refuses, noting the trial is nearing its end. The three-member Justice Hema Committee formed in 2017 reveals shocking reports of sexual harassments and exploitations faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Many women come forward with complaints following this. Over 30 FIRs registered. AMMA president Mohanlal steps down and dissolves the committee for 2024-2027. Director Balachandra dies at a hospital due to kidney and heart disease. 2025 The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court convicts - Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, B. Manikandan, V. P. Vij