‘A victim of AMMA-WCC dispute', claims Siddique in SC anticipatory bail petition
New Delhi: Malayalam actor Siddique, who is facing a rape case, claimed that he is a victim of a conflict between two powerful organisations in the Malayalam film industry. He filed an anticipatory bail application in the Supreme Court, arguing that he was made an accused in the case without a proper investigation.
In his anticipatory bail petition, Siddique alleged that the dispute is between the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). His lawyer, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, is planning to present this conflict as a key argument in court.
Siddique’s application included serious allegations against the police investigating the case. He is highlighting a long delay of eight years between the filing of the complaint and the case's progression, and he claims that the complainant has made inconsistent statements over the past five years.
Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi is likely to argue that the turmoil between AMMA and WCC has unfairly targeted Siddique, positioning him as a casualty in their ongoing struggle. The legal team would be arguing that the actor is not a perpetrator, but rather a victim of this industry clash.
The Supreme Court will consider whether to address Siddique's anticipatory bail plea on Monday. Advocate Ranjeeta Rohatgi, on behalf of Siddique, has handed over a letter to the Supreme Court Registrar requesting urgent consideration of the case. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud will decide when the case will be heard and which bench will handle it.
The plea emphasised that Siddique, a 65-year-old senior citizen with no prior criminal record, belonged to a family including a grandchild, and is now fearing an arrest. It also stated that he has received numerous awards, and assured the court that he posed no risk of influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence. Siddique's legal team has expressed readiness to comply with any conditions the court might impose for granting bail.