Rape charges: Actor Siddique faces arrest after HC denies bail; lookout notice issued

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (September 24) rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Malayalam film actor Siddique in a rape case registered against him based on a complaint by an actress. The actor now faces arrest, and local media reports say he has gone hiding and remains incommunicado. Reports say look-out notices have been issued against Siddique.

"Application is dismissed," Justice C S Dias said. The detailed order giving reasons for rejecting the actor's plea is not yet available.

Sidhique, who was booked for offences under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation), has claimed in his plea that the complainant female actor, has subjected him to the "prolonged campaign of harassment and false accusations since 2019".

In his anticipatory bail plea, he further claimed that she had repeatedly, for the past five years, made unsubstantiated and false claims of sexual misbehaviour and 'verbal sexual offers' by him in a theatre in 2016.

"But now she has raised totally contradictory allegation of more serious crime of rape at a different place in the same year," he had said in his plea.

Relieved, says survivor

Reacting to the judgement, the survivor said, “I’m relieved that he was denied bail. I believe justice will ultimately prevail, even if it is delayed. However, I’m not satisfied with the SIT investigation and have concerns about potential information leaks, given the sensitive nature of the case. The accused had time to destroy electronic evidence, including their devices, and could also influence witnesses. I have filed a complaint with the DGP highlighting these issues. Overall, I remain hopeful, but quicker intervention is needed. I expect justice to be served.”

Sidhique had resigned from his post as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following the allegations against him.

Hema Committee report

Multiple FIRs have been registered against many high-profile Malayalam film personalities following allegations of sexual harassment against various directors and actors in the wake of revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report.

The committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealing instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

Following the allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them.

(With agency inputs)