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Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Siddique in a rape case filed against him.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Siddique in a rape case filed against him, concerning allegations dating back to 2016. The decision, delivered by a Bench comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma, upheld the interim bail previously granted to the actor.
During the hearing, Justice Trivedi questioned the complainant’s delay in lodging the police complaint, emphasizing that the incident was only reported eight years later. “You had the courage to post on Facebook but not to go to the police station?” she remarked.
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The Court noted this delay in its ruling, highlighting that the complainant posted about the alleged incident in 2018, accusing 14 individuals, including Siddique. The Bench also pointed out that the complainant did not approach the Hema Committee, a panel established by the Kerala High Court to address grievances within the Malayalam film industry.
“In view of the eight-year delay, the complainant’s social media posts, and the absence of an approach to the Hema Committee, we accept the appeal. If arrested, the appellant shall be released on bail, subject to conditions including the surrender of his passport to the investigating officer,” the Court stated.
The case against Siddique stems from allegations by an actress who accused him of raping her at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram in 2016. The accusations surfaced after the publication of the Justice K. Hema Committee Report in August 2023, which exposed widespread sexual abuse, “casting couch” practices, and systemic gender discrimination in the Malayalam film industry. The report’s release has sparked a series of sexual abuse allegations against prominent film personalities.
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Advocate Vrinda Grover, representing the complainant, argued that the survivor initially faced severe backlash from Siddique’s followers after sharing her experiences on social media. Grover explained that the survivor filed the complaint only after the Hema Committee report and the Kerala High Court’s intervention created an environment where she felt her voice would be heard.
On the other hand, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Siddique, challenged the credibility of the allegations. “She has made accusations against multiple people. Her complaints tarnish reputations without evidence,” Rohatgi asserted. He maintained that Siddique was innocent, stating, “I never met her alone. The allegations are fabricated.”
While granting anticipatory bail, the Court dismissed a request by Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the State of Kerala, to involve the Public Prosecutor in setting bail conditions. The Bench clarified that it was unnecessary to make exceptions in this case.
The investigation into the case is being led by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) established to probe sexual abuse cases arising from the Hema Committee findings.
