Congress MP and UDF convener Adoor Prakash has backtracked the statement he made on actor Dileep’s acquittal on Monday, after he received severe backlash.
Both Congress leaders and the ruling party, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, condemned the MP’s statement, claiming Dileep “got justice” after he was acquitted in the 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case.
The MP has now come out to say that his views were misinterpreted. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Prakash said “What I said was not fully broadcast. I said that justice was not delivered to the survivor. It is difficult for me to criticise the court when a verdict comes from the judiciary of justice." He also said, "KPCC president and senior Congress leaders have clearly stated the stand of Congress and UDF supporting the victim. What I made was only my personal view based on my personal relations. The media only telecast a portion of my remarks,"
On Monday, while speaking to local media after voting in the Kerala local body polls, Prakash had said, "While the opposition was with the survivor woman, everyone should get justice,” adding that Dileep, got justice.
"Not just because in the capacity he is an artist, but also as someone who had direct association with him," he said. "The court itself granted justice Dileep. Dileep has said that the case was framed by several police officers under the leadership of a senior woman police officer. Such matters need to be scrutinised.”
When he was asked about the government's decision to file an appeal, he said, "The government has no other work, right? It is a government that looks at every case to see how it can harass someone. It is ready to fabricate cases in any manner.”
The Chief Minister criticised his statement, saying that it went against the sentiments of the country.
Health Minister Veena George also said that the remark was objectionable.
In the backlash, Congress had to clarify that Prakash's views were his own and did not represent the party or the KPCC. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said that Prakash's statement was a 'personal view' and that Congress and the UDF should stand with the survivor. KPCC President Sunny Joseph said that the verdict was a failure for the governement and that an appeal should be filed.
Actor Dileep, who was one of the accused in the 2017 actress abduction case, was the only one to be acquitted. The Ernakulam Principal session court said that the prosecution failed to prove the actors involved in the alleged criminal conspiracy behind the abduction. The six others have been convicted on different charges.
