Dileep’s acquittal in Kerala actor rape case echoes in poll-day chatter

The acquittal of actor Dileep in the 2017 Kerala actor rape case looked to percolate into poll day conversations in the Reveal on Tuesday (December 9, 2025)

United Democratic Front (UDF) convenor Adoor Prakash looked to have confidence reignited the debate centring on the trial court docket’s resolution to acquit Dileep of conspiracy costs, alleging that the Kerala authorities changed into seeking to “extra victimise” the actor by deciding to appeal the verdict in the High Courtroom. 

The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) seized on the assertion and sought to weaponise it in opposition to the UDF as polling for the first phase of the native physique polls picked up tempo all the strategy in which by seven southern districts in Kerala. 

Communist Celebration of India (CPI) Reveal secretary Binoy Viswam said Mr Prakash’s phrases indicated “the dwelling reality that the Congress has many events sided with sexual predators.”

“The UDF is no longer with the oppressed ladies folk nevertheless with predators. Voters will give a becoming reply to the Opposition’s inherently misogynistic stance. The Congress persisted to defend Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who goes by extra than one costs of rape”, he said.

Mr Viswam claimed that, in stark distinction, the LDF is on the forefront of the survivors’ fight for justice. “The Left will no longer bow to the boldness and monetary heft of sexual predators”, he added. 

Communist Celebration of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] basic secretary M. A. Toddler acknowledged that the LDF would leave no stone unturned to give protection to survivors and be obvious that justice. 

V. Sivankutty, Customary Training Minister and CPI(M) Reveal Committee member, said Mr Prakash’s assertion reflected the Congress’ mindset. “Let voters take a seat in judgement on Mr Prakash’s assertion”, he added. 

Legislation Minister P. Rajeeve said the LDF’s “professional-ladies folk position changed into a policy location in stone”, and no longer an individual or case-explicit one. He said it changed into reductive of the Congress to time-frame the authorities’s resolution to appeal the trial court docket verdict in the 2017 actor rape case in the High Courtroom a witch-hunt.

Mr Rajeeve said the case had a ways-reaching penalties in society and accused the Congress of being brazenly dismissive of its upright and societal implications. “For one, it paved the model for the Hema Committee, which examined accusations of sexual harassment and exploitation in the film industrial. It resulted in the most important constitution of inner complaints committees in the film and entertainment industrial. The case emboldened survivors to focus on out and survey justice”, he added. 

Mr Rajeeve said the trial court docket had convicted those straight serious relating to the crime. The actual investigation physique of workers (SIT), which probed the case, contended that the crime changed into the tip manufactured from an entrenched conspiracy.

Nonetheless, the court docket chanced on the SIT’s evidence looking out. “It’s obligatory for the Reveal side to drag on appeal. Furthermore, the survivor additionally needs this kind of upright transfer”, he added. 

Congress chief Good ample. Muraleedharan said the survivor had the correct to appeal the trial court docket’s verdict if she felt aggrieved. “There isn’t very any longer such a thing as a verdict that satisfies all parties. It’s the Reveal’s prerogative to drag on appeal. It’s miles no longer advisable to mix politics into the debate”, he added. 

Earlier, senior Congress chief and outmoded Dwelling Minister Ramesh Chennithala had dismissed Mr Prakash’s assertion as a “private opinion”.