New Delhi, Dec. 8 -- The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Monday acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 actress assault case, a landmark verdict in one of Kerala's most closely watched criminal trials.

The case concerned the alleged abduction and molestation of a prominent South Indian actress - who had worked across Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu cinema - after a group of men allegedly forced their way into her car on the night of 17 February 2017.

Dileep, listed as the eighth accused, had long maintained his innocence. Although the Kerala Crime Branch had accused him of violating bail conditions at various points during the investigation, the court found insufficient evidence to convict him.

District and Sessions Judge Honey...