The Kerala High Court Verdict on the Suryanelli Sex Racket Case – An Appeal from the Defence Committee.

The Kerala High Court Verdict on the Suryanelli case in January 2005 has literally sent shock waves throughout Kerala. This incident in which an adolescent girl was caught in a love trap and kidnapped, and forcibly taken to various places in Kerala and raped repeatedly by 42 men, ranging from influential politicians, advocates, businessmen etc. has been well known. As a case which gave a warning signal to the society on the sex racket gangs working in the state, Suryanelli has a very important place in contemporary history. The special court in Kottyam had been convinced that the accused were guilty and they were punished. This verdict was very much releaving to the civil society in Kerala. When our children fall into such traps, this verdict gave a message that here is somebody to question all those injustices on our behalf. After this case, we know there were lot of such cases and many victim girls and their parents have been approaching various courts from then on.

But now, the HC has found out something crucial in the case. The verdict comes to the conclusion that the girl had so many opportunities to escape, and that she did not avail of it because she had consented for sexual intercourses. On this basis, the HC has acquitted all the 35 accused except one. It is too much unbelieving that the court assumes that a teenage girl can easily resist the powerful sex racket mafia’s tentacles, once trapped.

If the HC had examined the medical report during that period in which it was clear that the girl was suffering from very serious pelvic infections, such a conclusion would not have been reached. It is admirable that a girl and her parents have withstood against all odds all these years. The present HC verdict has created an atmosphere in which the accused who are powerful in every way can continue with their activities without any hindrance. This verdict which has made the victim (complainant) an accused is not in conformity with the spirit of our Constitution and democracy. This is actually a challenge to all the lovers of humanity. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the people of Kerala to reverse this incident. With this purpose, a defence committee was formed in the meeting on 5-2-05 in the KSEB Hall, Ernakulam. The meeting was called by Kerala Sthree Vedi in which there was tremendous response from activists of different movements like the environmental, the human rights and democratic movements. The committee included K.Ajitha, Prof.Sara Joseph, Prof. Meenakshi Thampan, C.R. Neelakandan, Jothi Narayanan, Adv. P.A.Pouran. Dr. P.Geetha, Sonia George, Adv. Bhdra, Fr.Alotius, Sunil (AIYF), Yesudas Varappuzha, Shyla.K.John, Adv.T.B.Mini and Jeeva.

We have no other alternative than go forward with the plans for giving an appeal. We appeal to all lovers of humanity to help us in this fight for justice in any way possible, be it legally, morally or financially . Financial help has to be addressed to K. Ajitha, Anweshi Women’s Counselling Centre, K.T.Gopaln Road, Kozhikode. All the cheques and D/Ds have to be sent in the name of K.Ajitha, A/C 157, Central Bank of India, Mavoor Road Branch, Kozhikode. It must be mentioned that this amount is for Suryanelli case.

K.Ajitha,
Prof.Sara Joseph,
Prof.Meenakshi Thampan,
Adv.Bhadra
Dr. P.Geetha
Sunil (AIYF)
Sonia George
Adv.P.A.Pouran
Jothi Narayanan,
C.R. Neelakandan,
Adv.T.B.Mini
Yesudas Varappuzha
Fr. Alotius
Shyla.
K. John