Actor Sidhique appears again for questioning by SIT in rape case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Malayalam film actor Siddique appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Saturday for questioning in a rape case registered against him.

This is the second time he has been appearing before the SIT for questioning.

The actor was questioned for nearly four hours earlier this week on Monday.

Siddique appeared at the Thiruvananthapuram District Police Command Centre here at around 10.40 am.

The rape case was registered against him after a young female actor alleged that Siddique sexually assaulted her at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram under the pretext of offering her a role in a film.

The Supreme Court had granted Siddique interim protection from arrest last week, after the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

The High Court had cited the seriousness of the accusations and the need for custodial interrogation, while dismissing his bail plea.

Sidhique has been booked under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

He claims the complainant has been harassing him with false accusations since 2019.

This case is part of a broader investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against prominent Malayalam film personalities, following the Justice K Hema Committee report on sexual crimes against female actors.

Multiple FIRs have been registered in connection with these allegations.