The Supreme Court of India granted interim protection from arrest to Malayalam film actor Siddique on Monday, in connection with a rape case filed against him. This decision came during the hearing of Siddique’s plea that challenged the Kerala High Court’s recent denial of his anticipatory bail.
The bench, comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma, also issued notices to the Kerala government and the victim, seeking their responses. During the proceedings, the court inquired about the delay in filing the complaint against Siddique, which was addressed by advocate Vrinda Grover, representing the victim. Grover highlighted the findings of the Justice Hema Committee report, which detailed widespread harassment and sexual exploitation within the Malayalam film industry, to provide context for the delayed complaint.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Siddique, argued that the complaint, lodged in 2024, came eight years after the alleged incidents. He contended that this delay was part of a “prolonged campaign of harassment and false accusations” against Siddique that began in 2019.*
On September 24, the Kerala High Court had refused Siddique anticipatory bail, citing the seriousness of the accusations which, according to the court, necessitated his custodial interrogation for a thorough investigation. Siddique faces charges under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
