Actors and Women In Cinema Collective founders Parvathy Thiruvothu and Rima Kallingal have voiced their support for the survivor in the 2017 actor assault case, following the acquittal of Dileep on Monday. Shortly after the verdict, Parvathy took to Instagram, posting on her stories: “Justice what? And now we watch a carefully crafted screenplay unfold so cruelly now,” in an apparent expression of frustration over the outcome. Sharing her solidarity with the survivor, Rima also posted a brief message reading “Avalkkoppam (With her) Always. More stronger than ever, now."
Their statements came hours after the Principal District and Sessions Court in Ernakulam acquitted Dileep and another accused in the 2017 case relating to the abduction and sexual assault of a prominent woman actor, while convicting six others, including the prime accused, Sunil N S alias Pulsar Suni. The offences relate to an incident on February 17, 2017, when the survivor was abducted while travelling to a film shoot in Thrissur and sexually assaulted inside a moving vehicle. The assault was recorded on camera.
Delivering the verdict, Judge Honey M Varghese ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against Dileep, who was listed as the eighth accused, and against Charlie Thomas, the seventh accused. Both were acquitted. The remaining six accused were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, gang rape and other related offences under the Indian Penal Code, as well as relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act. The court is expected to pronounce the sentences for the convicted accused on December 12.
The judgment marks a key turning point in one of Kerala’s most closely watched criminal trials. However, the legal battle may not be over yet, as the survivor retains the right to challenge Dileep’s acquittal before the Kerala High Court.
