Kerala Police Issue Arrest Warrant for Actor Siddique in Rape Case

The Kerala Police have issued an arrest warrant against Malayalam actor Siddique in connection with a sexual assault case, as reported by NDTV. This action follows an investigation into allegations made by a former actress, suggesting she was raped by Siddique at a state-owned hotel in Thiruvananthapuram in 2016. The incident came to light following the release of the Hema Committee report, which highlighted issues of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry.

The Kerala High Court recently dismissed Siddique’s bail plea, reinforcing the seriousness of the charges. The victim expressed her contentment with the court’s decision but voiced dissatisfaction about the ongoing investigation. She emphasized concerns about confidentiality breaches, specifically mentioning media leaks that could potentially undermine the investigation. The victim has filed a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP), expressing apprehension about witness tampering and destruction of evidence.

According to the victim, the alleged rape occurred after she resisted Siddique’s demands for sexual favors in exchange for a role in a Tamil film. Siddique has publicly denied these allegations, claiming that the victim has been making false accusations on social media since 2019.

The case has attracted significant attention following the Hema Committee’s report, which was submitted to the Kerala government in December 2019 and made public in August 2024. The report exposed widespread sexual exploitation and abuse within the Malayalam film industry. As a result, the police have filed 11 First Information Reports (FIRs) against various industry figures, including other noted actors and directors.

In light of the allegations, Siddique resigned from his position as the General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). This organization had been presided over by actor Mohanlal, who also stepped down following the revelations in the Hema Committee report.

The investigation gained momentum after a senior police official mentioned the necessity of Siddique’s custodial interrogation. The High Court had also criticized the state government for its delayed response to the issues highlighted in the Hema Committee report. The Crime Branch has been gathering evidence through various means, including interviews with psychiatrists familiar with the victim’s post-incident trauma.

The Kerala government is reportedly under pressure to take decisive action following the court’s emphasis on the importance of Siddique’s interrogation and medical examination. Discussions are ongoing at the highest level of the Crime Branch to determine a strategic approach for the case moving forward.