‘I feel it is good Lalettan stepped aside; If it were him...’: Baburaj on AMMA’s handling of Dileep’s acquittal
Actor Baburaj, commenting on whether actor Dileep, recently acquitted in the actress assault case, should be reinstated into the actors’ association AMMA, said the decision rests with the organisation’s office bearers.
Speaking at a press conference for the promotion of the film Pongala, Baburaj said, “Whether Dileep should be taken back will be decided by AMMA’s office bearers. Whatever I have to say, I will convey it in the General Body. Things in the organisation are conducted according to by-laws, and the current leadership is taking matters forward well. There are women, and they know how to handle it. The present administration is doing an excellent job. All 17 members are working sincerely.”
Speaking about the current leadership, Baburaj said, “At this moment, I think of Mohanlal. (At the helm of AMMA) If it were Lalettan, you (media) would have suffocated him. Now, because there are women, they could escape the complications. I feel it is good Lalettan stepped aside.”
He added this in response to questions about the absence of a response from AMMA after the verdict in the actress assault case.
Baburaj further said, “For those who graduated from Maharajas College, hearing ‘Maharajas’ evokes a feeling. Similarly, saying ‘AMMA’ gives us a certain sentiment. The chosen leaders at the top will respond, either today or tomorrow. They are responsible for this.”
He also confirmed that he continues to stand with the survivor, saying, “As a lawyer, I respect the court’s verdict. That is the way of the land. Whether the current judgment is wrong or not will be decided by the higher courts. Until the higher court ruling comes, we can wait. My compassion and care for the survivor remain unchanged. How I stood with her then, I stand the same way now.”
Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese pronounced the verdict in the 2017 case in which the trial began on March 8, 2018.
The charges invoked against the accused span a wide range of IPC sections, including criminal conspiracy (120A, 120B), abetment (109), wrongful confinement (342, 357), kidnapping (366), outraging modesty (354), attempt to disrobe (354B), gang rape (376D), criminal intimidation (506(i)), destruction of evidence (201), harbouring an offender (212), and common intention (34).
A total of 261 witnesses were examined, many in camera, including several prominent film personalities, with 28 witnesses turning hostile. Over the years, two special prosecutors stepped down, and the survivor's request to replace the presiding judge was denied.
The prosecution submitted 833 documents and 142 material objects, while the defence produced 221 documents. Witness examination alone spanned 438 days.
The court, however, found the accused from no. 1 to no. 6 guilty and will pronounce punishment for those found guilty on December 12. Dileep, who was the eight accused in the case, was acquitted.