Malayalam film actor Siddique has filed a petition in the Supreme Court for anticipatory bail. Malayalam actor Siddique has approached the Supreme Court after his anticipatory bail petition was rejected by the Kerala High Court. A lookout notice was issued against him two days ago in the sexual harassment case filed against Siddique by an actress. In August this year, an FIR was filed against Siddique on charges of sexual harassment by an actress.

what is the whole matter

The actress had accused actor Siddique of sexual harassment and exploitation after the Justice Hema Committee report was made public. The actress has filed a case against actor Siddique under sections 376 (sexual harassment) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, Siddique has flatly denied all these allegations and a comprehensive court order is pending. This legal development comes after Siddique's request for anticipatory bail on September 2 in response to the sexual harassment case filed against him. Several female actors have made serious allegations against prominent figures in the industry including director Ranjith, actor Mukesh, Siddique and others. Actor Mukesh and Adavela Babu have also been arrested. 

What does the Hema Committee report say?

The Malayalam film industry has recently been rocked by the 'Me Too' movement that exposed various allegations of sexual harassment. In the wake of the allegations, Siddique resigned from the post of General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). He also resigned from the entire 17-member executive committee. Apart from Siddique, other actors like Mukesh, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu and Maniyanpilla Raju have also been embroiled in sexual harassment cases. The surge in these allegations came after the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed disturbing cases of harassment, exploitation and systematic abuse of women in the industry. The Hema Committee report, which was made public on August 19 after removing the names of witnesses and accused, said that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors and actors who dominate the industry.