Kochi: Actress Manju Warrier on Sunday voiced strong support for the survivor in the 2017 actress assault case, saying that justice remained incomplete despite the sentencing of six convicts by the trial court.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Manju Warrier said she respected the judiciary but expressed concern that all those responsible for the crime had not been brought to justice.
“I have utmost respect for the Honorable Court. But in this case, justice for the survivor is still incomplete. Only those who committed the crime have been punished,” she wrote.
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She further said, “The mind that planned and enabled this heinous act, whoever that is, still walks free, and that is terrifying. Justice will be complete only when everyone behind this crime is held accountable.”
Describing the larger significance of the case, the actor added, “This is not just for one survivor. This is for every girl, every woman, every human being who deserves to walk with courage, heads held high, without fear in their workplaces, on the streets, and in life.”
Manju Warrier concluded her post with a message of solidarity: “With her. Then, now, and always.”
How did the survivor respond after the sentencing?
Breaking her silence after the court sentenced six convicts, the survivor also shared an , calling the verdict “a small ray of light” after nearly nine years of struggle.
“After 8 years, 9 months, and 23 days, I finally saw a small ray of light at the end of a very long and painful journey. Six of the accused have been convicted, and for that, I am GRATEFUL!!” she said.
At the same time, the survivor raised concerns about the conduct of the trial and the handling of evidence. She revealed that she had written to the President of India and the Prime Minister seeking intervention in the proceedings.
“I requested the court to conduct the proceedings in an open court, so that the public and media could be present and see for themselves what was happening. This request was denied,” she said.
What did the court decide in the case?
On Friday, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court sentenced all six convicts to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. Justice Honey M Varghese found them guilty under Section 366 (kidnapping with intent to rape), Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) and Section 376D (gang rape) of the Indian Penal Code.
Each convict was also fined Rs 50,000, with a default sentence of one year’s imprisonment. The first accused, Pulsar Suni, was given an additional five-year sentence under the Information Technology Act, though the court clarified that all sentences would run concurrently.
The court also directed that a copy of the pen drive containing the visuals be kept in safe custody by the investigating officer, Baiju Paulose.
What is the background of the case?
Earlier, the Sessions Court had acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep, the eighth accused in the case.
The case pertains to the abduction and sexual assault of an actress who has worked in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films. She was allegedly kidnapped and molested inside her car on the night of February 17, 2017, by a group of men who forced their way into the vehicle.