The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to Malayalam actor Siddique in the sexual assault case filed by a young actress. This comes after the top court granted interim bail to the actor on September 30
The case was registered based on a complaint regarding a 2016 incident. The bail was granted on the grounds of a eight-year delay in filing the FIR.
ALSO READ: Siddique calls Revathi Sampath’s allegations a ‘publicity stunt’, files complaint
The Supreme Court has asked Siddique to deposit his passport with the trial court and cooperate with the probe.
This came after a report by the Justice Hema Commission revealed sexual harassment against female actors in Malayalam film industry.
ALSO READ: Siddique was at hotel in 2016 for film preview, Thiruvananthapuram Police confirms
The sexual assault allegations forced Siddique to step down from the post of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) general secretary. The charges slapped on the actor included IPC Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation).
Police had earlier confirmed that Siddique had reserved a room at Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram on January 28, 2016. This matched with the period mentioned by the complainant, who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by the actor during the preview of a film.
The woman said she was locked up in the room but managed to flee later.
The Kerala High Court had earlier rejected his plea seeking anticipatory bail, citing prima facie involvement and that allegation required custodial interrogation.
