In a significant development, the Supreme Court has extended anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Siddique, accused in a 2016 rape case. The allegations emerged in the aftermath of the Justice K. Hema Committee Report, which shed light on widespread sexual abuse, exploitation, and gender bias in the Malayalam film industry.
A bench comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma confirmed the actor’s interim protection initially granted in September 2024. The complaint against Siddique was filed by an actress who claimed the assault occurred years earlier but came to light only after the report inspired survivors to share their experiences.
The investigation, now spearheaded by a Special Investigation Team, gained momentum following these revelations. The actor had approached the Supreme Court after the Kerala High Court declined his bail plea, leaving him vulnerable to arrest.
During the hearing, the Court scrutinized the considerable delay in lodging the complaint but granted relief, instructing Siddique to fully cooperate with the probe. As a condition of his bail, he has been directed to surrender his passport and remain available for questioning.
The case continues to highlight the far-reaching impact of the Justice K. Hema Committee’s findings, as the Malayalam film industry reckons with a growing chorus of voices demanding accountability.
