AMMA releases official statement on court verdict in actress attack case

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has issued a statement following actor Dileep’s acquittal by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court in the high-profile Kerala actress assault case.

Dileep, who had been the eighth accused in the case, was earlier expelled from AMMA after the alleged assault incident. The decision was taken at an executive meeting at actor Mammootty’s residence in Panampilly Nagar. Later, after Mohanlal became AMMA president, the organisation decided to reinstate him—an action that generated significant controversy and public criticism. In the midst of the protests, Dileep announced that he would not rejoin the body.

In a message shared on Facebook, AMMA said that the law must follow the path of justice and reiterated that the organisation respects the court and its verdict.

Support pours in for the survivor

The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) expressed solidarity with the survivor, with prominent actors Rima Kallingal, Parvathy Thiruvothu and Remya Nambeesan reaffirming their support on social media.

Rima Kallingal shared on Instagram a photograph of herself holding a banner reading “Avalkkoppam” (With her), the same banner she carried during protests in 2017. Shortly afterwards, Remya Nambeesan posted the same image, echoing her solidarity.

Parvathy Thiruvothu also took to Instagram after the acquittal, describing the developments as resembling “a well-written script unfolding in a brutal reality”. She added, “And now we watch a carefully crafted screenplay unfold so cruelly now.”

Dileep reacts after court verdict

Speaking to the media after leaving the court, Dileep thanked his legal team, saying: “I am deeply indebted to all the lawyers who defended me over the past nine years.”

He went on to thank those who supported him across various fields and repeated allegations of a conspiracy against him. “The conspiracy against me began when Manju Warrier claimed there was a criminal conspiracy that required investigation. The then high-ranking officer, along with a group of criminal police officers, filed a case. They conspired with the main accused and co-accused to create a false story. Later, the police team collaborated with certain media outlets and sympathetic journalists to spread the fabricated narrative on social media,” Dileep said.

The first six accused in the case have been found guilty, with sentencing due on 12 December.