Wed Sep 25 07:54:54 UTC 2024: ## Malayalam Actor Siddique Missing After Rape Case Anticipatory Bail Rejection
**Kochi, India:** Malayalam actor Siddique has gone missing following the Kerala High Court’s rejection of his anticipatory bail plea in a rape case filed by an actress. Police, who are investigating the case, searched his residences but couldn’t locate him, raising concerns about his whereabouts.
Siddique was last seen in public on Saturday attending the last rites of veteran actress Kaviyoor Ponnamma. He is expected to appeal the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court. A lookout notice has been issued at all exit points across India, with heightened security at airports. Both his mobile phones have been switched off.
The case stems from an actress’s accusation that Siddique raped her while discussing a film project. This comes amidst a wave of sexual harassment allegations against the Malayalam film industry, following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed systemic exploitation and harassment within the industry.
Siddique, who has denied the charges, resigned from his position as General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) following the accusations. The entire AMMA committee, led by President Mohanlal, followed suit. Siddique claims the actress has been harassing him since 2019 with false allegations, including an earlier accusation of attempted sexual assault in 2016. However, after the Justice Hema Committee report, she escalated her claims to rape.
Siddique’s case marks a significant turning point in the fight for justice within the Malayalam film industry, as he is the first individual in similar cases to be denied anticipatory bail.
**Meanwhile, in a separate incident, an HDFC Bank employee, Sadaf Fatima, died in Lucknow allegedly due to work pressure.** This follows another similar case involving an Ernst & Young employee in Pune, highlighting the growing issue of workplace stress and its fatal consequences.
First Piper 