Today(27th August), The Supreme Court has instructed Kerala’s counsel to update on the number of witnesses examined in the Dileep sexual assault case during Pulsar Suni’s bail hearing. The case involves prominent Malayalam actor Dileep as an accused.
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NEW DELHI: Today(27th August), The Supreme Court directed the counsel representing the Kerala government to provide updates on the number of witnesses examined so far in the high-profile actress assault case, where prominent Malayalam actor Dileep stands accused. This directive came during the hearing of a bail plea filed by Pulsar Suni, another key accused in the case.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and A.G. Masih adjourned the bail hearing of Pulsar Suni for two weeks, seeking clarity on the progress of the witness examination. In a prior development in February, a different bench of the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the ongoing witness examination process in the trial being conducted at the Ernakulam Court. This refusal came after Dileep, one of the accused in the case, raised objections against the prosecution’s move to examine 41 additional witnesses just before the trial’s deadline of January 31.
Dileep alleged that the prosecution’s decision to summon additional witnesses was a deliberate attempt to delay the trial, a claim that has added further complexity to this already high-profile case.
The case, which shook the Malayalam film industry, dates back to 2017. It came to light when a well-known Malayalam actress alleged that she was abducted and sexually assaulted in Kochi. The Kerala police swiftly launched an investigation, ultimately identifying Dileep and seven others as suspects. The actor was subsequently charged with conspiring to orchestrate the assault.
The incident sent shockwaves through the Kerala Film Industry, especially when the survivor actress courageously identified herself on social media, igniting widespread outrage and calls for justice.
In response to the public outcry, the Kerala government established the Justice Hema Committee in 2017 to investigate the challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. After years of deliberation, the report was finally published on August 19, 2024.
Revelations from the Hema Committee Report
The 235-page Hema Committee report has shed light on the deeply ingrained issues of abuse and exploitation within the Malayalam film industry. However, the report has been redacted to omit the names of witnesses and accused individuals. One of the most damning revelations in the report is that the industry is allegedly controlled by a group of male producers, directors, and actors, whom a prominent figure within the industry referred to as a “mafia.” This powerful clique is believed to have the influence to blacklist anyone from the industry, further perpetuating a culture of silence and fear.
Following the release of the Hema Committee report, the Kerala High Court has already questioned the Kerala government on its plans to address the cognizable offenses outlined in the report. This has placed additional pressure on the authorities to take concrete action against those implicated in the report.
The Supreme Court’s latest directive in the actress assault case emphasizes the ongoing legal scrutiny and the significant public interest in the outcome of the trial. As the case progresses, all eyes remain on the judiciary to ensure that justice is served and that the underlying issues within the Malayalam film industry are addressed.
