Actor Bhavana Menon, the survivor in the 2017 Kerala sexual assault case, has spoken publicly following the acquittal of actor Dileep by the Ernakulam Sessions Court earlier this week, expressing deep anguish over what she described as unequal treatment under the law.

In a detailed Instagram post, Bhavana reflected on the emotional toll of the prolonged legal battle, stating that years of pain and struggle had led her to a painful realisation that not every citizen in the country is treated equally before the law. She also addressed what she described as persistent misinformation surrounding the case, particularly claims that the prime accused was her personal driver.

Clarifying the matter, Bhavana stressed that the accused was neither her employee nor someone she personally knew. She explained that he was assigned as a driver for a film project she worked on in 2016 and that she had met him only once or twice before the assault occurred.

Earlier this week, the court acquitted actor Dileep while convicting six other accused, sentencing them to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment for the sexual assault of Bhavana in a moving vehicle. The assault, which was filmed by the perpetrators, had shocked the nation. Prosecutors had alleged that Dileep was the mastermind behind the crime, claiming he conspired with local criminals to carry out the attack over personal grievances.

Bhavana noted that the verdict did not come as a surprise to her. She shared that as early as 2020, she had begun to feel uneasy about the manner in which the case was being handled. According to her, several developments during the trial raised concerns about fairness and transparency, including repeated dismissals of her petitions to move the case to a higher court due to what she described as trust issues.

She further stated that requests to have the case heard by a different judge were denied, despite her apprehensions. In contrast, she noted that the accused had sought to retain the same judge, a request that was reportedly accepted. Bhavana also claimed that her appeals to political leaders, including letters to the President and Prime Minister of India seeking intervention, went unanswered.

In her post, Bhavana expressed gratitude to those who supported her throughout the trial, acknowledging the emotional strength she drew from public solidarity. She described the conviction of six of the accused as a small but meaningful step forward after nearly nine years of legal struggle, calling it a validation of her truth amid years of disbelief and public scrutiny.

She also outlined several factors that contributed to her loss of faith during the proceedings. Among them were allegations that the key memory card evidence was accessed illegally multiple times while in court custody, the resignation of two public prosecutors who, according to Bhavana, privately expressed concerns about bias, and repeated refusals to investigate possible evidence tampering. She also stated that her request for open court proceedings, in the presence of media and the public, was not granted.

While the December 12, 2025 verdict brought partial closure to one of Kerala’s most disturbing criminal cases, Bhavana has made it clear that her pursuit of justice remains unfinished. The acquittal of Dileep, attributed by the court to the prosecution’s inability to conclusively prove criminal conspiracy, has left the outcome deeply contested.

The verdict has reignited intense public debate in Kerala, raising questions about accountability, institutional integrity, and power dynamics within the film industry. As discussions continue, Bhavana’s voice stands as a reminder that legal outcomes do not always equate to emotional closure, and that the pursuit of justice extends beyond the courtroom.