The Kerala Feminist Forum is strongly urging the State government to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) with the Supreme Court. Their demand comes in response to a recent Kerala High Court order that acquitted former Minister A. Neelalohithadasan Nadar in a sexual assault case involving IFS officer Prakrithi Srivastava.
Approximately 20 prominent activists, including K. Ajitha, C.S. Chandrika, Jayasree A.K., and Eliyamma Vijayan, highlighted that Ms. Srivastava’s earlier victories in the trial court (2004) and sessions court (2005), where Mr. Nadar was found guilty, served as a powerful source of inspiration for working women across the state. However, they contend that his acquittal two decades later, based on the argument that Ms. Srivastava filed her complaint late, is completely unjustifiable.
In a press release, the activists stated, “The inability of judges to grasp the immense challenges women face simply to report sexual harassment is a profound concern. This judgment represents a continued denial of justice.”
They further drew attention to a similar complaint lodged against Mr. Nadar years prior by IAS officer Nalini Netto, and the significant support she received from women’s organizations throughout Kerala. “This recent order is a significant setback for all efforts aimed at ensuring women’s dignity and safety in the State. It starkly reveals the patriarchal leanings within our courts, which often penalize survivors while allowing perpetrators to go free. Crucial evidence presented by the complainant was consistently overlooked, and she faced alienation designed to pressure her into withdrawing her complaint,” the release elaborated.
The forum has formally requested the State government to pursue an SLP. This action, they believe, would not only demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting women in Kerala but also help restore public trust in the country’s legal and justice systems.