Malayalam actor Dileep gets bail, fans cheer as he leaves jail

Kochi, Oct 3 (IANS) Malayalam superstar Dileep, arrested for alleged involvement in the kidnapping of an actress, was on Tuesday granted bail by the Kerala High Court. The actor later left Aluva sub-jail here to loud cheers from hundreds of his fans.

The bail conditions include surrendering his passport, furnishing a bond of Rs 1 lakh, a pledge to stay away from witnesses in the case and to keep away from the media.

This is the third time Dileep approached the High Court for bail. He had also sought bail earlier twice from the trial court.

The court order on his bail was brought to Aluva sub-jail, where Dileep has been housed, by his brother.

In stark contrast to being hooted by angry crowds who had gathered to see Dileep following his arrest on July 10, on Tuesday hundreds of fans gathered to cheer the star. His fans, including women, began collecting soon after he was granted bail by the Kerala High Court around 2 p.m. They were seen distributing sweets and chanting slogans in his favour.

Dileep was arrested for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy behind the kidnapping of a popular actress in February this year.

Dressed in a white shirt and a fully grown beard, Dileep stood on the running board of the car and waved to his fans, and also stood with folded hands as the car drove away to his home where his mother, actress wife Kavya Madhavan, his daughter and close relatives were waiting to receive him.

The police was present in large numbers in the jail and also at the two homes of the actor near here.

Ernakulam rural Superintendent of Police A.V. George, who was one of the key officials in the probe team, told the media that the charge sheet in the case would be filed soon.

The arguments on the bail plea got over last Friday.

Actor Mahesh, who had been defending Dileep all through, expressed happiness.

"Every time a bail plea was moved, we hoped against hope that he would get bail. Finally, the prayers of his fans have been answered," he said.

The abduction of the popular actress took place in February when she was on way from Thrissur to Kochi.

She was taken around in her vehicle forcefully and allegedly molested for about two hours before being dumped near an actor-director's home.

The key accused -- Pulsar Suni and his accomplices involved in the actual abduction -- were arrested a week later. After detailed questioning, police unearthed a conspiracy angle in the abduction and arrested Dileep.