India, Dec. 8 -- A Kerala court on Monday acquitted Malayalam film actor Dileep in connection with the 2017 abduction and rape of an actress, media reports said.

The actor has been cleared after a prolonged eight-year legal battle, as the prosecution failed to prove his involvement in the crime.

Alongside Dileep, three others were also acquitted, while six individuals were found guilty.

Dileep had been accused of orchestrating the attack but consistently maintained his innocence throughout the trial.

After the verdict, Dileep expressed his gratitude to his legal team and claimed that a conspiracy had been hatched against him.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from India Blooms....