Dileep case, political echo: Pinarayi calls actor’s remarks on police his ‘feeling’; Congress MP puts party in a spot on polling day

Addressing the media in Kannur as part of the campaign for the second stage of local body elections, Vijayan said police officials had acted on evidence. “The allegation of conspiracy is only his (Dileep’s) feeling. Details are yet to come out. The prosecution handled the case very well. At every stage of the case, society at large and legal circles had expressed only a positive opinion. The proceedings of the case sent a message that the government has a clear stand on such issues. The government is committed to giving all support for the survivor, and that stand will continue in future also,” he said.

State Law Minister P Rajeev has said that the prosecution will appeal against the verdict of the trial court.

Congress MP courts controversy

Congress MP and convener of the party-led UDF, Adoor Prakash, said on Tuesday that Dileep got justice in the 2017 case, and the state government’s decision to appeal against the trial court finding is only meant to harass him.

As his statement triggered a controversy and caused red faces within the party, that too when polling for local body elections was underway, Prakash did a volte-face. Earlier in the day, Prakash, after casting his vote, told the media: “My view is that Dileep has got justice. He is not only an artist for me. I have a personal relationship with him. He has got justice. The court has delivered justice for him.”

Referring to the government’s decision to appeal against the trial court verdict, Prakash said, “The government has no other job. We have a government which is ready to fabricate any case. The government is looking at opportunities to harass someone.”

As his statement drew widespread criticism, Prakash changed tack: “I am always with the survivor. My opinion is that she should get justice. At the same time, it is difficult to reject the stand of the court.”

Leading the criticism against the Congress MP, Chief Minister Vijayan said, “It (Prakash’s statement) is as per UDF politics. Society is always with the survivor, and the government has the same approach. The UDF convener has a strange stand on the issue. It is against the prevailing sentiments in our society.”

Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan also came out against Prakash, saying that party leaders should show restraint on polling day. “Those holding positions in the party should not make their personal views public. Congress in Kerala is with the survivor,” he said.