Actress sexual assault: Survivor says not all citizens treated equally before law

Early findings revealed that the assault had been filmed, allegedly to later blackmail the survivor. Suni reportedly told her during the crime that he was acting “on contract.”

The survivor in the 2017 actress assault case on Sunday said the trial court verdict did not come as a surprise to her, noting that over the years she realised not every citizen in the country is treated equally before the law.

In an emotional but strongly worded social media post, she alleged that her fundamental rights were not protected during the trial. She also said the verdict underscored how human judgment can influence judicial decisions, though she acknowledged that not every court functions in the same way.

This marks the first time the survivor has publicly responded to the trial court verdict, which sentenced six people convicted in the sexual assault case to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, while acquitting Malayalam actor Dileep in the same case.

“After years of pain, tears, and emotional struggle, I have come to a painful realisation: not every citizen in this country is treated equally before the law,” she wrote on Instagram.

However, she expressed relief that six of the accused had been convicted.

“After 8 years, 9 months, and 23 days, I finally saw a small ray of light at the end of a very long and painful journey. Six of the accused have been convicted, and for that, I am grateful,” she said.

The survivor also criticised those who had doubted her account, dedicating the moment to those who had called her pain a lie and the case fabricated. “I hope you are at peace with yourselves today,” she added.

She rejected claims that the prime accused was her personal driver, calling the allegation “completely false.” “He was not my driver, not my employee, and not someone I knew. He was assigned as a driver for a movie I worked on in 2016. I met him only once or twice at that time, and never again until the day this crime happened,” she said, urging people to stop spreading false stories.

The survivor said the verdict may surprise many, but it did not surprise her.

She recalled that as early as 2020, she had felt something was amiss in the handling of the case. She noted that even the prosecution had observed changes in proceedings, especially concerning one particular accused.

Over the years, she approached the High Court and the Supreme Court multiple times, requesting that the case be moved away from the same judge, but all requests were dismissed, she said.

She cited multiple reasons for distrusting the trial court, including the alleged illegal access of a memory card that was key evidence, and the resignation of two public prosecutors who described the court environment as hostile toward the prosecution.

“Both of them personally told me not to expect justice from this court, as they felt it was biased. I repeatedly requested a proper investigation into the tampering of the memory card,” she said.

She added that her requests for open court proceedings were denied and that she faced repeated delays in obtaining investigation reports.

The survivor thanked everyone who supported her throughout the long legal process and addressed those attacking her online: “You are free to continue doing what you are paid to do.” Actress Manju Warrier also expressed support for the survivor in an Instagram post, highlighting that justice remains incomplete.

“Only those who committed the crime have been punished. The mind that planned and enabled this heinous act still walks free, and that is terrifying. Justice will be complete only when everyone behind this crime is held accountable,” Warrier said.

Also Read: Dileep case verdict: A look at the eight-year-long legal battle involving an actress' sexual assault case that shook actor's career and Malayalam cinema

She emphasised that this case is significant for every woman and person who deserves safety and dignity in life.

Warrier’s statements gained prominence after actor Dileep, who was acquitted in the case, criticised her at the court premises, alleging a “real conspiracy” to implicate him.

Dileep claimed the conspiracy began with Warrier’s statements regarding the assault.

Also Read: Kerala actress gang rape case: Court sentences Pulsar Suni, five others to 20 years rigorous imprisonment

The assault, which took place on February 17, 2017, involved the prime accused, Pulsar Suni, allegedly sexually assaulting the actress and recording it with the help of others, after forcing her car under their control for two hours.

Dileep was accused of conspiring in the crime and was arrested during the investigation, but after a nearly six-year trial, the court found him not guilty.