Malayalam actor Sidhique arrested for rape – Telangana Today

Second FIR against renowned film personality following allegations of sexual harassment against several directors and actors in the wake of revelations in Justice Hema Committee report

Thiruvananthapuram: A rape case has been registered against Malayalam actor Sidhique after a female actor accused her of sexually assaulting her in 2016, police said on Wednesday.

A senior police official said an FIR has been registered against the actor under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) at the museum police station.

The case was registered under the Criminal Code because the offence is believed to have taken place in 2016.

This is the second FIR against a well-known film star, following allegations of sexual harassment against several directors and actors, following revelations in the Justice Hema Committee report.

The first case, under Section 354 of the Penal Code (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her), was against director Ranjith. The case involved a complaint by a female actor from West Bengal about an incident that took place in 2009.

She alleged that the director touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after he invited her to act in the film Paleri Manikyam from 2009.

Following the actor’s allegations, Ranjith resigned as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.

Sidhique also resigned as General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following the allegations against him.

The Justice Hema Committee was set up by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress sexual assault case. The report exposed cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

Following allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the formation of a seven-member special investigation team to probe the allegations.

After that, more complaints came in.