A top-level meeting at the State Crime Branch (CB) headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, reportedly evaluated the prosecutorial strategies following the Kerala High Court’s rejection of actor Siddique’s anticipatory bail plea. The case pertains to the alleged rape of an aspiring actor at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram back in 2016.
Currently, Mr. Siddique’s movements remain unrestricted, and no wanted-person notice has been issued against him. Despite rampant media speculation and a social media frenzy, there has been no official announcement of an active Statewide operation to apprehend the actor. According to a senior official, “speedy arrest was not necessary” at this stage. However, they did not rule out the possibility of issuing a notice to Mr. Siddique. The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) of the District Crime Branch in Thiruvananthapuram is overseeing the investigation.
The Crime Branch is also considering whether an immediate arrest could potentially hinder Mr. Siddique’s efforts to secure anticipatory bail from the Supreme Court. Such a move might expose the police to criticisms of being overly hasty in their pursuit of the suspect.
Simultaneously, both police and media have established a presence outside Mr. Siddique’s residences in Ernakulam district. News channels have been seen swarming a hotel in Nedumbassery following unconfirmed reports of Mr. Siddique checking in there. Additionally, a team from the Museum police station in Thiruvananthapuram has reportedly headed to Kochi, but the purpose of their visit remains unclear.
In the high-level meeting chaired by Additional Director General of Police, Crime Branch, H. Venkatesh, the option to issue a notice for Mr. Siddique to present himself before the investigating officer was reportedly discussed.
. The Crime Branch appears to be facing a legal quandary due to the High Court’s assertion that Mr. Siddique’s custodial interrogation is crucial for the investigation. Furthermore, the court raised the possibility that the actor might attempt to influence important witnesses.
The Kerala government is now under mounting pressure to take definitive action in Mr. Siddique’s case. The High Court emphasized the need for the actor’s custodial interrogation and medical examination given the severity of the accusations. Additionally, the High Court has censured the government for its “mysterious sphinx-like silence” over five years about the 2019 K. Hema Committee report. This report documented widespread sexual exploitation within the Malayalam movie industry and was only made public due to the court’s intervention.
A senior police official represented the High Court’s rejection of Mr. Siddique’s anticipatory bail plea as a testament to the agency’s “professional and extraneous influence-free” investigation in the rape case. In the nearly eight-year-old case, the agency seemed to have compiled compelling evidence based on dates, locations, and records, including hotel logs and statements from witnesses who were privy to the survivor’s recounting of the event’s aftermath. This collection aimed to build a comprehensive timeline and circumstantial evidence for effective prosecution.
Moreover, the police had recorded statements from at least two psychiatrists who treated the survivor. These medical professionals reportedly attested to the victim’s alleged trauma following the suspected offence. The Crime Branch believes that it has gathered sufficient evidence to legally confront Mr. Siddique.
The recent developments have thrown a spotlight on the Crime Branch’s handling of high-profile cases, making it imperative that they strike a balance between swift action and legal prudence. The Kerala government’s response to the High Court’s observations and the unfolding of legal proceedings against Mr. Siddique will be closely watched by both the public and the media in the coming days.
