‘No need of crores, consider her as sister’: Man who testified letter was meant for Dileep, recalls mother’s advice

Vipin Lal wrote a letter for Pulsar Suni, now convicted in the actress assault case. As an approver, he stated that his letter was intended for Dileep.

Kanhangad (Kasaragod , Kerala): Taking the Rs 500 his mother gave him, Vipin Lal would board a bus to Kochi. He often felt anxious when reminded by his lawyer that the witness testimony was scheduled for the next day. With limited funds, he struggled to pay for lodge rooms or meals. After each day, he would return home by bus and head back to Kochi early the next morning.

“Even if you were offered crores, my son, it is not needed. Always consider the child (actress) as your sister when giving your testimony,” his mother often repeated, Vipin Lal, a prosecution witness in the actress assault case, recalled, struggling to hold back tears.

Vipin Lal, the 121st witness, is the son of the late Balakrishnan and Latha. While he was in remand at Kakkanad sub-jail for a cheque case, the accused in the actress assault case, including Pulser Suni, were also brought there. Jail authorities asked him to write a letter for Pulser Suni, which he did. In his testimony, he informed the court that he understood the letter was meant for Dileep (actor, the eighth accused who has been later acquitted in the case by trial court).

Threats forced Vipin Lal to move from his residence in Kochi to Bekal’s Malankunnu. Despite the pressure, he continued his education, securing first rank in B.A. History from Kannur University. He completed his M.A. from IGNOU and is currently conducting research at Bharathiar University on “Sree Narayana Guru: Sanatan Dharmam and Mathrkamattam.”

Vipin Lal’s life was also threatened by Pradeep Kottathala, the then personal assistant of K.B. Ganesh Kumar (the ruling CPM MLA and Transport Minister), who was later arrested by police.

When Vipin Lal’ story appeared in the media, a local parallel education institution in Kasaragod refused him admission, citing his notoriety.

“Later, when I got my rank and saw the news in Mathrubhumi, people understood me. I was invited to teach at a college outside my town, where I taught for two years,” he said. He also received support from DYFI (CPM youth front) activists, who stood by him during the ordeal.