Actor Siddique moves Supreme Court seeking bail for arrest in sexual abuse case

Siddique resigned as Secretary General of the AMMA.

Kochi Islands:

Actor Siddique on Monday approached the Kerala High Court seeking interim bail in a sexual abuse case filed against him. The actor’s legal move comes amid the ongoing “Me Too” storm that has rocked the Malayalam film industry.

The case against Siddique was filed after the Thiruvananthapuram police registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by a woman actor.

Earlier this week, Siddique resigned as Secretary General of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), along with the entire 17-member executive committee, following serious allegations of sexual abuse by several female actors against leading figures in the Malayalam film industry, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh.

Besides Siddique, actors like Mukesh, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju and director Ranjith were also arrested for sexual abuse.

Allegations of sexual abuse against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry followed the release of the Justice Hema Commission report, which revealed some shocking details of crimes against women in the industry.

The report, which detailed shocking stories of intimidation, exploitation and abuse of female professionals, has sparked outrage across the sector.

The report, made public on August 19 after redacting the names of witnesses and suspects, noted that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors and actors who dominate and exercise control over the industry.

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