The Malayalam actor who has accused fellow actor Dileep of sexually assaulting her has moved the Kerala High Court challenging a lower court’s dismissal of her plea for the trial to be heard by a female judge, The Hindu reported on Tuesday.
The Ernakulam Sessions Court had turned down her petition to transfer the case to a court headed by a female judge citing the lack of women additional sessions judges in the district. The petitioner told the court that the crime in question was “unparallelled and unique in the criminal annals of the state and even the nation.”
The petitioner was allegedly abducted by a group of men on February 17, 2017 near Angamaly, Enakulum, while returning from a shoot. Dileep was arrested in July 2017 for allegedly planning the attack on the actress because of a personal grudge. The police said Dileep and a co-conspirator had hired the men to carry out the crime.
The actress said the Sessions Court had no jurisdiction or power to decide on the matter, The Hindu reported. The state government is considering her request. Her petition also cited sections from the Criminal Procedural Code that all efforts should be taken to ensure that a female judge presides over a trial involving the rape of a woman by more than one person, The New Indian Express reported.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!