Supreme Court grants anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Siddique in rape case

Granting him relief, a bench headed by justice Bela M Trivedi said, “Why were you silent for 8 years? You had the courage to post your complaint on Facebook in 2018 but not go to the police station.”

The female actor had not approached the justice K Hema Commission that was looking into allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment faced by women actors in Malayalam film industry. She approached the commission with her complaint on August 26, 2024, soon after the findings of the commission were made public.

Noting these facts to allow Siddique’s plea for anticipatory bail, the bench, also comprising justice SC Sharma, said, “The fact that she had not gone to the justice Hema Commission which was set apart by the Kerala high court, we are inclined to prayer in the appeal subject to conditions.” Earlier on September 30, the court had granted him interim protection from arrest.