Supreme Court grants anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Siddique in rape case

The Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Siddique in a rape case. The bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma confirmed the interim bail, questioning the eight-year delay in filing the complaint. The complainant’s counsel argued that social media posts were an attempt to speak out, facing backlash from Siddique’s followers. The defense contended that the allegations were fabricated, with the complainant making similar accusations against others. The court emphasized the need for proper investigation and noted the complainant’s delay in approaching the police. The case highlights the complexities of delayed reporting in sexual assault cases and the challenges in balancing the rights of the accused and the complainant. The Supreme Court’s decision underscores the importance of timely reporting and thorough investigation in such cases.