Today(24th Sept), The Kerala High Court denied anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Siddique in a rape case filed by an actress, following allegations revealed after the Justice K Hema Committee Report was released on August 19. Justice C.S. Dias announced the order during proceedings, highlighting the serious nature of the claims against the actor.
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Thiruvananthapuram: Today(24th Sept), The Kerala High Court declined to grant anticipatory bail to popular Malayalam actor Siddique, who faces a rape allegation from an actress. Justice C.S. Dias, presiding over the case, delivered the order in the morning session, marking a crucial moment in the ongoing investigation into sexual misconduct in the Malayalam film industry.
The accusations against Siddique emerged after the public release of the Justice K Hema Committee Report on August 19, 2023. The report, which has sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry, exposed widespread sexual abuse, casting couch practices, and deep-rooted gender discrimination within the industry.
The report’s publication has led to an avalanche of new allegations, as victims now feel empowered to come forward with their experiences. Several actors, directors, and other key figures in the film industry have been named in multiple complaints. The report has laid bare the systemic exploitation that has remained hidden for decades, sparking a reckoning in the entertainment industry.
The case against Siddique was officially filed following a complaint lodged by an actress who accused the actor of raping her in 2016. According to the complaint, the alleged incident took place at the Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram. The actress, who initially refrained from taking legal action, later submitted a detailed complaint via email to the State Police Chief, claiming that Siddique sexually assaulted her after she refused to comply with his demands for sexual favors in exchange for a role in a Tamil film.
Initially hesitant to speak out, the victim’s decision to come forward was influenced by the revelations in the Hema Committee report. She alleged that Siddique’s inappropriate advances and coercion escalated when she resisted his demands.
“Siddique allegedly raped her after she declined to comply with his requests for sexual favors in return for a role in a Tamil film.”
-reads her complaint, which forms the basis of the case.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed in the aftermath of the Hema Committee report’s publication, is handling the investigation into the complaint against Siddique. This task force has been set up to thoroughly examine the increasing number of sexual abuse allegations against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry.
The investigation gained significant traction following the actress’s complaint. The SIT has been diligent in gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and scrutinizing the claims to establish the facts of the case. Given the public outcry and the gravity of the allegations, the team has prioritized the case, aiming to ensure a comprehensive and unbiased investigation.
In response to the serious allegations, Siddique filed a petition seeking anticipatory bail, wherein he claimed that the accusations were fabricated and part of a larger conspiracy to tarnish his reputation. According to Siddique, the actress has been harassing him since 2019, using social media as a platform to spread unfounded allegations of sexual misconduct.
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Siddique’s plea states-
“The female complainant has been targeting him since 2019 by repeatedly asserting on social media that he attempted to engage in inappropriate behavior with her at a theater in 2016.”
However, Siddique pointed out that her initial claims were less severe, accusing him of attempted sexual misconduct, which is a bailable offense. He argues that the actress changed her narrative, shifting from allegations of attempted assault to rape, in order to press for his arrest. Siddique’s petition added-
“She has now made a more serious allegation of rape at a different place in the same year.”
The actor further contended that the delay in filing the complaint raised serious questions about its authenticity.
“It is evident that the complainant is aware that a mere allegation of attempted sexual assault constitutes a bailable offense, and consequently, the petitioner cannot be taken into custody.”
-the petition stated.
He added-
“It is to establish a case justifying the arrest and detention of the petitioner that the complainant has now brought forth an allegation of rape.”
This shift in the nature of the allegations, Siddique argued, was a deliberate attempt to implicate him in a false and damaging legal battle. He also highlighted the inconsistencies in the allegations, stating that the long delay in filing the complaint further weakened the case.
Represented by Senior Advocate B. Raman Pillai and advocates Philip T Varghese and Sujesh Menon VB, Siddique’s legal team stressed that his custodial interrogation was unnecessary. They argued that sufficient evidence could be gathered without detaining the actor.
In the plea, Siddique maintained that his custodial interrogation “is completely unnecessary for the collection of evidence in this case.” His defense team argued that the allegations were baseless and aimed solely at damaging his career and public image.
