Wed Sep 25 00:58:51 UTC 2024: ## Malayalam Actor Siddique Denied Bail in Rape Case, Ordered to be Arrested

**Kochi, Kerala:** Malayalam actor Siddique has been denied anticipatory bail by the Kerala High Court in a rape case. Following this decision, the Crime Branch has ordered Kochi police to apprehend the actor.

The case stems from a complaint filed by a young actress, alleging that Siddique raped her at the Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram on January 28, 2016. The complaint was filed after the release of the Hema Committee report, which exposed widespread sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry.

Siddique’s lawyer has announced plans to appeal the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the police have issued a lookout circular to prevent Siddique from fleeing the country.

The SIT (Special Investigation Team) investigating the case is likely to record Siddique’s arrest and conduct an interrogation.

The case against Siddique also includes charges of criminal intimidation under IPC Section 506. Evidence gathered by the police at the Mascot Hotel confirms that both Siddique and the complainant stayed at the hotel during the time of the alleged incident.

Siddique, who has denied the allegations, has alleged that the complainant has been subjecting him to a campaign of harassment and false accusations since 2019.

Following the allegations, Siddique resigned from his position as General Secretary of the AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) organization.

This case is one of 23 registered by the SIT in response to numerous complaints from women in the Malayalam film industry.

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