Actress attack: What is stopping police from filing case against Rima Kallingal?

The police have found themselves in hot water for not registering a case against Rima Kallingal for revealing the name of the victim in the Kochi actress attack case, after the Kerala High Court's observations in a similar case against Aju Varghese.

The HC on Tuesday ruled that the case against Aju for revealing the actress' name through a Facebook post last month cannot be rejected even if the victim does not have a complaint regarding the same. 

The case against Aju was registered under IPC Section 228(A), which prevents revealing the identity of the victim in certain cases. "The case against the accused does not cease to exist juct because he reached a settlement with the victim," the court stated.

Actress attack: Kerala High Court refuse to cancel case against Aju Varghese

Rima had earlier courted controversy by posting a statement issued by the victim on her Facebook page. She removed it later, after some social media users pointed out that the statement carried the victim's name. 

An Aluva native soon lodged a complaint against Rima for revealing the victim's name. However, the police refused to file a case against Rima after the victim gave a written statement to the cops, saying that she has no complaint against her.

Actor Siddique questioned in actress attack case

But now with the HC's observation on the case against Aju, the police are under pressure to book Rima, who did the same crime. Some reports claim the police have sought legal advice to decide what action should be taken on the complaint against Rima.

The situation is quite ironic, considering Rima is a friend of the victim and a prominent member of the Women in Cinema Collective, which has been raising its voice against the actress attack and other atrocities against female members in the industry.
 

• Rima Kallingal
• Kochi actress attack
• Aju Varghese