Survivor in actress assault case to move High Court; legal fund launched

KOCHI: In a significant development in the 2017 actress assault case, the survivor has decided to challenge the trial court's verdict acquitting actor Dileep and several other key accused. The appeal will be filed in the Kerala High Court, with prominent Supreme Court advocate Vrinda Grover set to lead the legal team.

The move was announced by the Avalkoppam Legal Support Trust, a collective spearheaded by activists K. Ajitha and Deedi Damodaran. Acknowledging the financial burden of a prolonged legal battle in the higher sciences of the judiciary, the trust has initiated a public fundraising campaign, sharing QR codes for contributions. The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) has officially backed the initiative, amplifying the call for public support across social media platforms.

Central to the survivor's grievance is the controversial handling of the memory card containing the assault footage. Supporters allege that the investigation into the unauthorised access of this evidence while in judicial custody was inadequate and failed to pinpoint accountability.

The High Court is currently a focal point for multiple petitions related to this landmark case. These include:

• An appeal by the State Government against the acquittal of the primary conspirators.
• Appeals by Pulsar Suni and other convicted individuals challenging their 20-year sentences.

By filing her own appeal, the survivor seeks to ensure her voice remains central to the judicial process as the case enters its next critical phase.