India, Feb. 27 -- The Kerala government has moved the High Court challenging the acquittal of actor Dileep and three others in the 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case by the trial court.

On December 8, Ernakulam Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese had acquitted actor Dileep of the charge of conspiracy in the case while finding six accused - Sunil NS, aka 'Pulsar' Suni; Martin Antony; B Manikandan; VP Vijeesh; H Salim; and Pradeep - guilty of charges including gang rape, kidnapping, intent to outrage a woman's modesty, and conspiracy.

The court also sentenced them to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The acquittal of Dileep in the case had sparked a strong response from many within civil society and political circles. ...