Will Kerala Court Return Actor Dileep's Passport?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Dileep's passport returned after acquittal.
- Survivor alleges ongoing cyber harassment.
- Police registered a case against defamatory content.
Kochi, Dec 18 (NationPress) A Kerala court has mandated the return of actor Dileep's passport, just days after he was acquitted in the widely publicized 2017 actress assault case.
The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court granted Dileep’s request for the release of his passport, which had been held in judicial custody as a condition of bail during the trial.
Dileep's legal team argued that the actor requires the passport for international travel related to the promotion of his upcoming film, asserting there was no legal justification to withhold it following his acquittal.
The court acknowledged that Dileep had previously surrendered his passport as part of bail conditions post-arrest, and although he had received approval for overseas travel during the trial, the passport had reverted to the court's possession.
Immediately following the verdict, the defense had requested the swift return of the passport.
However, the prosecution countered, citing the potential for an appeal against the acquittal and contending that the passport should not be released at this moment.
Upon reevaluating the situation on Thursday, the court concluded that since Dileep had been acquitted, the bail bonds were effectively nullified, eliminating any barriers to the return of his passport.
In a related development, the survivor of the assault has approached the police, alleging ongoing cyber harassment subsequent to the verdict.
She has filed a formal complaint against abusive and defamatory content circulating on social media platforms following the trial court’s ruling.
The complaint specifically names Martin, the second accused who received a 20-year prison sentence, accusing him of sharing an inappropriate video aimed at her.
In the video, Martin purportedly asserts that the case was fabricated and suggests a conspiracy against Dileep, naming the survivor and others involved.
The survivor has provided 16 links in her complaint, showcasing social media accounts that have allegedly disseminated or amplified the defamatory video and other abusive materials.
In response to the complaint, the Ernakulam police have initiated a case, applying non-bailable sections of law.
Previously, the survivor met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, informing him about what she described as an intense and coordinated cyber campaign by Dileep’s supporters following the verdict.
Sources indicate the Chief Minister has instructed the police to take decisive and prompt action regarding the complaint.
Police officials have confirmed that further investigations are underway to identify all individuals involved in the distribution of the offensive content.