Opposition Leader Raises Concerns Over Kerala Actress Assault Case Delays and Scandal in Film Industry

Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, criticizes the delayed trial in the actress assault case, which erodes public trust in the judiciary. He also highlights the government's inadequate response to the Justice K Hema Committee's report on sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry, calling it anti-women.

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, expressed concern on Wednesday over the delayed trial in the actress assault case, noting that it could erode public trust in the judiciary.

Satheesan appealed to the Kerala High Court to review the protracted trial proceedings in the 2017 Kerala actress assault case, following the Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to the main accused, Sunil N S.

The Supreme Court granted bail to Sunil N S on Tuesday in the case, which also lists actor Dileep as an accused.

The Congress leader argued that the seven-and-a-half-year delay in the actress assault case has led to the accused being awarded bail, undermining confidence in the judiciary. "Justice delayed is equivalent to justice denied," Satheesan told reporters.

The actress, known for her work in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films, was abducted and allegedly molested for two hours in her car on the night of February 17, 2017. The perpetrators filmed the act to blackmail her.

Several individuals were arrested in connection with the case, including actor Dileep, who was later granted bail. Satheesan also commented on recent revelations about a scandal in the Malayalam film industry, stemming from the Justice K Hema Committee's report on sexual abuse of female actors.

He criticized the Left government's unwillingness to take a decisive stand on the issue. The opposition had demanded that only female officials handle investigations based on the Hema Committee report, but the government formed a mixed-gender team instead.

Satheesan urged the government to follow the Kerala High Court's directive to investigate the Hema Committee's findings without compromising the victims' privacy.

"It's unfortunate that the government is unwilling to take a truthful stand. The government supports the perpetrators over the victims, revealing an inherently anti-women stance," he alleged.

The Kerala government had formed the Justice K Hema Committee to investigate harassment and exploitation within the industry after the 2017 actress assault case. The committee's report revealed shocking instances of sexual harassment against women in the industry.

(With inputs from agencies.)