New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has granted Malayalam actor Siddique interim bail in a rape case, providing temporary protection from arrest. This decision was made by a bench comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma. During the hearing, the court also issued notices to both the Kerala government and the alleged victim. Siddique had moved to the Supreme Court after the Kerala High Court denied his anticipatory bail plea on September 24, citing the gravity of the charges, which include rape and criminal intimidation under sections 376 and 506 of the IPC.
Siddique, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, challenged the delay in the complaint, which was filed in 2024, nearly eight years after the alleged incident in 2016. The court, however, questioned the delay in the complaint and sought clarity on the matter. Advocate Vrinda Grover, representing the victim, pointed to the broader issue of harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, referencing the Justice Hema Committee report, which highlighted widespread abuse.
The Kerala Special Investigation Team (SIT) is leading the inquiry into the case, with evidence being gathered from a hotel where the alleged incident took place. Siddique has denied the charges and filed a counter-complaint, claiming a long campaign of harassment against him.
