SC extends interim bail of Malayalam actor Siddique in sexual assault case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, November 12, extended by a week the anticipatory bail granted to Malayalam actor Siddique, who is accused of raping an actress.

A bench of Justices Bela M. Trivedi and SC Sharma decided to extend the interim injunction after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing on behalf of Siddique, requested that the matter be posted for hearing next week, citing his own ill health.

During the course of the hearing, the Kerala Police informed the top court that Siddique, despite appearing before the investigating officers, was not cooperating in the ongoing investigation and was giving evasive responses.

On the other hand, Mukul Rohatgi said that the Kerala Police had asked the Malayalam actor for his mobile phone and laptop from 2016. To this, Justice Sharma noted, “As per my personal experience, I bought an iPhone and gave the old one to the shop. ”

Without addressing the allegations made, the Supreme Court decided to adjourn the matter on the request of Mukul Rohatgi and in the meantime extended the interim injunction for a week. Earlier, the Supreme Court had extended the interim bail by two weeks after Siddique’s counsel sought time to file rejoinder on the status report filed by the Kerala police.

The Kerala police have repeatedly said that Siddique abused his freedom to destroy evidence and did not cooperate in the ongoing investigation.

In an order issued on September 30, the High Court issued Siddique’s anticipatory bail plea and granted him interim bail. ‘It is directed that in case of arrest of the petitioner, he shall be released on bail subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the court and provided that he joins the investigation and remains present before the Investigating Officer as and when called upon,” the SC had ordered.