Trigger warning: This article contains references to sexual abuse.
Malayalam actor Siddique, who was arrested by Kerala Police, has been absconding ever since a lookout notice was issued against him. According to a report in Kerala Kaumudi, the actor has been absconding ever since the Kerala High Court in Kochi rejected his anticipatory bail in a sexual assault case.
According to the same report, the actor had switched off his mobile phones and was not present at both his houses in Kochi. Kerala Police had issued a lookout notice against the actor to prevent him from fleeing abroad.
Meanwhile, according to a report in Onmanorama, fearing arrest, Siddique has decided to appeal against the High Court order in the Supreme Court. However, in the meantime, the Crime Branch has ordered the Kochi police to arrest the actor.
The actor had tried to get anticipatory bail by terming the claims of the complainant as fabricated. However, the High Court strongly objected to this and rejected his bail plea.
For those who don’t know, Malayalam actor Siddique has been booked by Kerala police after a junior artist accused the actor of sexual harassment. The actress filed the complaint in the wake of the Hema Committee report which shook the film industry in Indian cinema.
According to the complainant, the actor had allegedly assaulted her at a prominent hotel in Thiruvananthapuram after a preview show of a film on January 28, 2016. Apart from the sexual assault charges, the actor has also been charged with criminal intimidation.
On the other hand, actor and Kollam MLA Mukesh was also arrested by the police under similar charges. However, after the arrest, the actor was released on anticipatory bail.
Disclaimer: If you need help or know someone who is going through domestic violence or assault or abuse, please reach out to your nearest mental health professional, NGO or talk to someone. There are many helplines available for this.
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