Actor Dileep Approaches Court Seeking Return of Passport

Kochi: Actor Dileep has moved the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court seeking the return of his passport, which he had surrendered as part of the bail conditions in the 2017 Kerala actress assault case. Dileep, the eighth accused in the case, was recently acquitted by the court after it found no evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy. Following the acquittal, he has requested that the passport be released to him permanently.

The court had also acquitted the seventh accused, Charlie Thomas, the ninth accused, Sanilkumar (popularly known as Mason Sanil), and the fifteenth accused, G Sharath, a friend of Dileep, due to lack of evidence. The case was notable for being the first in the country in which a “quotation” — or contract — for committing a sexual crime was registered.

According to the prosecution, the assault took place on the night of February 17, 2017, when a group intercepted the actor’s car near Athani in Angamaly, abducted her, sexually assaulted her, and recorded explicit videos.

The prosecution is preparing to challenge the acquittal of those accused of conspiracy and plans to move the Kerala High Court soon.

Meanwhile, the District Principal Sessions Court had earlier found the first six accused — Pulsar Suni (N. S. Sunil), Martin Antony, B. Manikandan, V. P. Vijesh, H. Salim (Vadival Salim), and Pradeep — guilty. Their sentencing is expected to be announced today.