Days after Malyalam actor Dileep was acquitted of all charges in the 2017 actress assault case, the court has ordered the return of his passport. Dileep's counsel had earlier submitted that the actor needs to travel abroad in connection with the promotion of a new film, Bha Bha Ba
Dileep
A Kerala court on Thursday has ordered the return of actor Dileep's passport, days after Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court acquitted him in the high-profile 2017 actress assault case. The Sessions Court accepted Dileep's plea, wherein he sought the release of his passport, which had been in judicial custody as part of bail conditions during the trial.
Court orders the return of Dileep's passport
Dileep's counsel had earlier submitted that Dileep needs to travel abroad in connection with the promotion of a new film, Bha Bha Ba, arguing that there was no legal basis to retain or hold the passport after his acquittal. The court noted that the actor had submitted his passport earlier as a condition for bail following his arrest in the case. Although he had been granted permission to travel abroad on multiple occasions with relaxations in bail conditions, the passport had been returned to the court's custody later.
On the day of the verdict, the defence had sought the immediate return of the passport. However, the prosecution opposed the request, noting the possibility of filing an appeal against the acquittal. They argued that the passport should not be released at this stage. The court reconsidered the matter on Thursday and held that since Dileep had been acquitted, the bail bonds stood discharged, and thus there was no impediment to returning his passport.
Survivor files a complaint against a cyber attack
Meanwhile, the case took another turn with the survivor approaching the police, alleging a sustained cyber attack following the verdict. She has lodged a formal complaint against abusive and defamatory content circulated on social media platforms in the aftermath of the trial court's decision. The complaint specifically names Martin, the second accused in the case, who was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, accusing him of posting an objectionable video targeting her.
In the video, Martin allegedly claims that the case was fabricated and that a conspiracy was hatched against Dileep, naming the survivor and others. The survivor has submitted 16 links along with her complaint, identifying social media accounts that allegedly shared or amplified the defamatory video and other abusive content.
Acting on the complaint, the Ernakulam police have registered a case, invoking non-bailable sections of law. The survivor had earlier met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in person, informing him of what she described as an intense and coordinated cyber campaign by Dileep's supporters following the verdict.
Sources said the Chief Minister has directed the police to take strong and swift action on the complaint.
Police officials said further investigation is underway to identify all those involved in circulating the offensive content.
(With inputs from IANS)
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