Malayalam actor Siddique appears before SIT probing rape case

A young woman had alleged that Siddique sexually assaulted her in 2016.

Siddique had resigned from the post of general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) amid allegations of rape. (File Photo/Facebook)

Malayalam actor Siddique on Monday turned up before the Kerala Police’s Special Investigation Team that is probing allegations of sexual misconduct in the film industry, including the rape case against him.

Last week, the Supreme Court had granted Siddique interim protection from arrest. He was later served a notice by police, asking him to report before the SIT for questioning.

The case against Siddique was registered in August based on the complaint from a young woman who alleged that he sexually assaulted her in 2016. He has denied the allegations.

An FIR was subsequently registered against him under IPC sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Before the Supreme Court gave him anticipatory protection from arrest, Siddique had been denied anticipatory bail by the Kerala High Court. Rejecting the bail application, the court had remarked on the “gravity and seriousness of the accusations alleged against the petitioner”.

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The case against Siddique was one of several against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry that came up in the aftermath of the Justice Hema Committee report’s release. The report, released in August, detailed issues faced by women working in Malayalam films, and said sexual misconduct was rampant in the industry.

A day after the allegation against him was made public, Siddique on August 25 resigned as the general secretary of the powerful Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA).

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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