(Picture Courtesy: Facebook)
TRIGGER WARNING: The article contains references to rape and abuse.Actor Siddique, who is facing a rape case and is currently out on bail, has been granted permission by the Thiruvananthapuram First Class Judicial Magistrate Court to travel abroad. The order allows the actor to visit the UAE and Qatar for a month to attend professional engagements like film shoots.
Court order and conditions
As reported by Asianet News, according to the court’s directive, Siddique can travel to the UAE from September 19 to 24 and to Qatar from October 13 to 18. However, a key condition was attached to the approval. The ‘Nunakkuzhi’ actor must return and surrender his passport after completing his trips.Reportedly, Siddique had filed a request before the court where he cited his need to attend film shoots and events overseas.
Allegations against Siddique and evidence in the case
Reportedly, the case against Siddique started from allegations made by a young actress. The complainant accused ‘Hridayapoorvam’ actor of luring her with promises of film opportunities and then raping her.According to the complainant, the incident allegedly took place in 2016 at a hotel in Muscat. The young actress first met Siddique at the preview of one of his films at Nila Theatre, after which he invited her to the hotel under the guise of discussing cinema. Reports said that Investigators confirmed Siddique’s presence at the hotel and gathered digital evidence of conversations between him and the complainant, which have been added to the charge sheet.The actress’s statement has also been recorded before a special court team, where her confidential testimony was submitted.
Legal journey so far
Siddique has admitted to having met the complainant in Thiruvananthapuram but has denied the allegations of rape. Earlier, the High Court had rejected his anticipatory bail plea. This led him to go into hiding. It was only after the Supreme Court intervened and granted him relief that his arrest was stayed, allowing him to come out on bail.Meanwhile, on the work front, Siddique was recently seen in the Mohanlal and Sathyan Anthikad’s feel good drama movie ‘Hridayapoorvam’. Siddique will be next seen in the most awaited Mohanlal and Jeethu Joseph films ‘Ram’ and ‘Drishyam 3’, where the former one is shot in several places abroad.DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is struggling with abuse, please seekhelp. Numerous helplines and support resources are available.
