Dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi took to social media to voice her anger over the public reaction to the acquittal of actor Dileep in the high-profile actress assault case. She wrote that seeing people cheer for the rapist filled her with contempt.

She added that watching women, who appear ‘virtuous,’ support the rapist provoked nothing but disgust. She also criticised the commonly used phrase “Still, with the survivor,” calling it ironic in the given context.

Following the trial court’s verdict, Bhagyalakshmi publicly supported the survivor and resigned from FEFKA, the Federation of Film Employees’ Kerala Association, in protest against the move to reinstate Dileep. During a press conference, she said that FEFKA’s stance of aligning with Dileep while claiming solidarity with the survivor was hypocritical. She also clarified that the court verdict in the actress’s assault case was not the final one.

What was the court’s verdict in the case?

The trial court delivered its verdict after eight years of proceedings involving the assault and recording of defamatory visuals against the actress. The court found six of the accused guilty, with their sentence scheduled to be pronounced on the 12th of this month.

Actor Dileep, who was the eighth accused, was acquitted as the court concluded that the conspiracy charges against him could not be proven.

How did the trial proceed?

The case began on March 8, 2018, and was conducted as a secret trial. A female judge was appointed at the request of the survivor to handle the proceedings. The verdict was delivered by Ernakulam Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese.