The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended interim protection from arrest for actor Siddique in a rape case, granting relief until the next hearing date.
The bench, comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma, made this decision as the investigation continues.
Representing Siddique, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi informed the court that investigators repeatedly asked the actor about an old phone and laptop from 2016, devices he no longer possesses. The court then questioned the Kerala Police about Siddique’s compliance in the investigation. The Kerala Government responded that, while he attends when summoned, he is “not cooperating fully.”
Justice Sharma noted that Siddique had turned over his old phone when he bought a new one. Rohatgi requested an adjournment due to his health.
Siddique has sought anticipatory bail from the Supreme Court after Kerala Police issued a lookout notice, suspecting he may have fled the state following the dismissal of his bail plea by the Kerala High Court. The case, based on a complaint filed by a young actor, includes charges of rape and criminal intimidation.
The Kerala government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) is handling the investigation. Siddique has denied all allegations.
This case surfaces amid heightened scrutiny on the Malayalam film industry after the “Me Too” movement, which revealed numerous allegations of sexual abuse in August. Amid these revelations, Siddique resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), prompting the 17-member executive committee to follow suit.
The movement gained momentum after the release of the Justice Hema Committee report on August 19, which detailed systemic harassment and exploitation faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
The report highlighted that 10 to 15 powerful male producers, directors, and actors hold significant control over the industry. Names of witnesses and the accused were redacted in the public release to maintain privacy.
In addition to Siddique, other industry figures including director Ranjith and actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, and Edavela Babu are now facing scrutiny and accusations, adding pressure on the industry to address systemic issues around harassment and abuse.
