Rape Accused Actor Siddique Appears Before Kerala SIT For Questioning In Thiruvananthapuram

Veteran actor Siddique on Monday appeared for questioning before an investigation team in connection with a rape case filed against him after the publishing of the Hema Committee Report on August 19. He arrived at the office of the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner today for questioning. However, the police informed him that the designated location for his questioning was not the Commissioner's office but rather the Control Room at the Cantonment Station in the State capital.

What are the charges against Siddique?

The museum police in Thiruvananthapuram registered a case against Siddique on August 27 this year under charges of rape and criminal intimidation, based on the complaint filed by a young actor who alleged that Siddique molested her in a city hotel in 2016. Siddique categorically denied the allegation.

The case is being investigated by a Special Investigation Team of the Kerala government formed after the Hema Committee Report findings were published. The panel's report brought to light the rampant discrimination and sexual harassment faced by women professionals in Mollywood. The SIT was formed at the behest of Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan to look into the cases of sexual crimes that have come to light recently.

Siddique appears before SIT after securing interim bail

Following a temporary bail granted by the Supreme Court, Siddique expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation and communicated his readiness to appear for questioning via email to the police. In response, a notice was issued to him to present himself for questioning. The notice was served by an officer from the Narcotics Cell, who is overseeing the investigation. Siddique is expected to be questioned today and subsequently released after the questioning is complete.

Following the allegations of sexual harassment, Siddique resigned from his position as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Consequently, the entire 17-member executive committee of AMMA also resigned. Serious accusations have been made by several women preofessionals against prominent figures in the industry, including director Ranjith and actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Nivin Pauly and Edavela Babu, among others.

(With inputs from ANI)