Court releases Dileep’s passport after acquittal in actress assault case

Kochi: A court here on Thursday ordered the release of actor Dileep’s passport following his acquittal in the 2017 actress assault case.

The order was passed by Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court Judge Honey M Varghese on a petition filed by Dileep seeking the return of his passport after his acquittal.

When the petition was filed on December 13, the Special Public Prosecutor had opposed the plea, stating that the prosecution intended to file an appeal against the acquittal. However, when the matter came up for consideration on Thursday, the prosecution raised no objection.

In view of this, the court directed that the passport be released.

Dileep had surrendered his passport in 2017 following his arrest in the case, as part of his bail conditions. During the course of the trial, the court had allowed him to travel abroad on several occasions for business purposes and film promotions.

Earlier, the court had acquitted four accused, including Dileep, while sentencing six persons directly involved in the crime to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.