Kochi: The search for actor Siddique, who has gone into hiding in connection with a rape case, has intensified. Following the High Court’s denial of anticipatory bail, Siddique is expected to approach the Supreme Court today seeking bail. The survivor has filed a petition against Siddique in the Supreme Court. The state government has filed an obstruction petition against Siddique’s bail request. The government has taken a strict stance against Siddique, and he has yet to be apprehended by the investigation team. Inspections have continued late into the night, including in hotels.
The police have searched Siddique’s home in Ernakulam and the homes of his friends and relatives. Inspections in hotels continued late into the night yesterday. Meanwhile, there have been protests against the investigation team, alleging they are allowing the accused to escape. Due to the lookout notice, it is presumed that he cannot flee abroad. The investigation is also focusing on other states.
Possibilities for Siddique
Currently, the single bench of the High Court has rejected Siddique’s bail application. Given that it involves a sexual assault allegation, Siddique cannot appeal the ruling to a division bench. According to the current legal framework, he can only appeal to the Supreme Court.
Siddique currently has two options: to surrender before the investigating officers and face legal proceedings or to appeal the High Court’s decision to the Supreme Court and wait for a ruling. However, in the meantime, there is a possibility that the police may proceed with an arrest and other legal actions. Moreover, Siddique’s lawyer can only approach the Supreme Court after thoroughly reviewing the High Court’s ruling, which will take time. Until then, Siddique has no option but to remain in hiding.
Clear Evidence According to the High Court
The court pointed out that there is clear evidence against Siddique, indicating the necessity of questioning him in custody, which led to the rejection of his bail application. The complaint states that the assault took place at the Muscat Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram in 2016. Siddique faces charges including POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act).
Siddique has claimed that the actress’s allegations are baseless and that her claims are unrelated. The senior advocate representing Siddique, B. Raman Pillai, argued that the young actress had never made such allegations against him before and that the complaint is unfounded. He stated that the incident was alleged to have occurred in 2012, and Siddique claimed that the complainant had fabricated the story.
However, the government’s additional public prosecutor, P. Narayanan, argued in court that Siddique has concealed many facts, and there is evidence that both parties arrived at the Muscat Hotel. Evidence related to the screening of the film and confirmation that both parties were present at the Muscat Hotel on the day of the incident has been provided to the investigation team. The circumstantial evidence was against Siddique.
When the case reached court, Siddique raised the main argument that the complainant delayed in filing the complaint. However, the court responded that a delay in filing a complaint does not diminish the severity of the case and that there is no legal obstruction to proceedings, as previously clarified by the Supreme Court.
