Big Relief For Malayalam Actor Siddique After SC Grants Interim Protection From Arrest In Rape Case

Supreme Court granted interim protection from arrest to Actor Siddique in a rape case registered against him based on allegations by a Malayalam actress.

After the Justice Hema Committee report was made public, a young actress came forward alleging that Siddique sexually exploited her

Source : Instagram

In a big relief to Malayalam actor Siddique, the Supreme Court on Monday granted him an interim protection from arrest to in a rape case registered against him based on allegations by a Malayalam actress.

A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma issued notice in the actor's plea seeking anticipatory bail.

On September 24, the Kerala High Court dismissed his petition seeking anticipatory bail, observing that the materials on record indicated his prima facie involvement in the crime. The High Court also held that the acts alleged against Siddique would come within the ambit of the expanded definition of "rape".

Actor Siddique then moved the top court against this high court order seeking anticipatory bail. The Kerala High Court while rejecting Siddique's bail plea has said that acts alleged against Siddique would come within the ambit of the expanded definition of "rape".

After the Justice Hema Committee report was made public, a young actress came forward alleging that Siddique sexually exploited her in 2016 when she met him in a hotel room after he offered her opportunities in the film industry. Following this complaint, the actor was forced to step down as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA).

Following her allegations, the young actress filed an FIR alleging rape and criminal intimidation by Siddique.

The case against Siddique came in the aftermath of the Justice Hema Committee report on sexual harassment and gender inequality against women in Malayalam cinema.

Justice Hema Committee came across stories of despair not only from women, but also from men in the Malayalam Film industry. From hidden spy cameras, rampant sexual harassment since the black and white era, to no toilets for woman on sets, the report made several glaring revelations about exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.