As allegations of sexual abuse in the film industry escalated, the Kerala High Court dismissed superstar Siddique’s bail application. Reports indicate that he has gone into hiding, prompting police to search his two homes near Kochi, where he was not found. The police are now conducting searches in local hotels and have issued Look Out Circulars at all airports, as his mobile phones are switched off. Investigations are also underway at the residences of his family members. Unconfirmed reports suggest that police may have identified his hideout. It is expected that he will file a new bail application with the Supreme Court soon.
The High Court has stated that the allegations against Siddique are so serious that he must be interrogated while in custody. The court did not find merit in Siddique’s arguments questioning the credibility of the accusers, emphasising that it is inappropriate to attack the character of those making allegations while he himself is under scrutiny. The court viewed this as an attempt to silence the accusers and deemed it an insult to the dignity of the actresses involved.
The police are currently tracing Siddique’s phone records from recent days to locate him. An FIR was filed against him last month after an actress accused him of sexual abuse. Following her statement to the Special Investigation Team, Siddique resigned as the General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA).
Meanwhile, superstar and CPM MLA M. Mukesh was arrested by the Special Investigation Team after three hours of intense questioning. However, he was granted station bail since he already holds anticipatory bail.
The recent release of the Hema Committee report on sexual abuse in the film industry surprised Malayalam film fans, as many beloved matinee idols found themselves embroiled in serious allegations. Siddique and Mukesh are not alone in facing scrutiny; several others are also implicated. However, they are among the more senior figures in this troubling situation.
Mukesh’s arrest is a significant setback for the CPM, as he has been the party’s MLA for two consecutive terms. Following the publication of the Hema Committee report, CPM leaders continued to support him, and he was even included in the Film Policy Formulation Panel despite serious allegations from several actresses. This drew criticism from the BJP, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Bharatiya Mahila Morcha, and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), who organised multiple protests against the Government’s decision. Ultimately, the Government removed Mukesh from the panel. The CPM now finds itself in a Catch-22 situation following Mukesh’s arrest. The people of Kerala are eager to see how the party will respond to this developing situation.
