A day after the Cyber Police registered a case against Martin Antony, the second accused in the 2017 actress assault case, for allegedly circulating a video related to the incident, the survivor spoke out strongly against online abuse and victim-blaming, saying she was being punished for seeking justice instead of remaining silent.

In a social media post, she said her “mistake” was approaching the police immediately after the assault and pursuing legal action. Reflecting on the reactions she continues to face, she wrote that she was made to feel as though she should have accepted what happened as fate and stayed silent.

She pointed out the contradiction in public attitudes, saying that had she not complained at the time and if a video related to the incident had surfaced later, she would have been questioned for not approaching the police earlier. Such reactions, she said, push survivors into despair and silence.

Referring to a video reportedly recorded by the second accused before he began serving a 20-year prison sentence, she said false and damaging claims could easily be made against survivors, highlighting how casually misinformation is spread in cases of sexual violence.

Condemning those who circulate such narratives, she said she would not wish such an experience on anyone, including those spreading the allegations. “Not a victim, not a survivor, just a simple human being. Let me live,” she wrote, underscoring the emotional toll of continued scrutiny and harassment.

After the video was circulated, the survivor filed a complaint with the Thrissur Range Deputy Inspector General of Police, alleging that she was facing severe cyber harassment and seeking the removal of the content.

As part of the complaint, she submitted 16 links of the video. Based on this, police issued removal notices to social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Notices were also sent to 27 individuals who shared the video, directing them to take it down.

Thrissur City Police Commissioner Nakul R Deshmukh said an investigation would be conducted to ascertain whether there was a conspiracy behind the video released in Martin Antony’s name as part of a smear campaign against the survivor.

He said Martin Antony would be questioned in jail and that an arrest would be recorded in the case if required. Information has so far been collected from 127 social media accounts, and directions have been issued to remove defamatory content circulating online. A special investigation team has also been constituted to probe the case.

Police said further cases may be registered against additional individuals in the coming days as the investigation progresses.