Actor Sidhique questioned by Special Investigation Team over rape allegations
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Malayalam film actor Sidhique appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday for questioning in connection with a rape case registered against him.
The SIT, led by an IPS officer, is currently interrogating Sidhique at the Cantonment police station here.
In her complaint, a young female actor alleged that Sidhique sexually assaulted her at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram under the pretext of offering her a role in a film.
The Supreme Court had granted Sidhique interim protection from arrest last week, after the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
The High Court had cited the seriousness of the accusations and the need for custodial interrogation, while dismissing his bail plea.
Sidhique has been booked under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
He claims the complainant has been harassing him with false accusations since 2019.
This case is part of a broader investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against prominent Malayalam film personalities, following the Justice K Hema Committee report on sexual crimes against female actors.
Multiple FIRs have been registered in connection with these allegations.
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BJP worker shot at outside Faridabad polling booth on day of voting
Faridabad (PTI): Two bike-borne men allegedly shot at a 30-year-old BJP worker outside a polling booth here on the voting day in Haryana on October 5, leaving him hospitalised with an injury in the waist, police have said.
They said the incident happened on Saturday when Rajnish, who has also been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for the past 14 years, was sitting near the Nidhi Public School with a table and people were waiting during the polling exercise.
The two assailants came, their faces covered with a 'gamchha' and their motorbike without a number plate, had a brief exchange of words with Rajnish and then shot at him.
Police said the BJP worker was hit in the waist and has been hospitalised.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Kundu, who visited the private hospital, said he has learnt that the victim's condition is stable. He said police are investigating the matter.
Rajnish is a resident of the Bharat Colony in the Faridabad assembly constituency and his house is on the 33 Feet Road.
After learning about the incident, former cabinet minister and BJP candidate from the Faridabad assembly seat Vipul Goyal visited the hospital to enquire about Rajnish's health.
He said that action should be taken against those involved. Whether the victim is a BJP worker or a member of any other party, the law gives the same protection to everybody, he said.
Komal Pandit, an eyewitness, said people were standing outside the Nidhi Public School when the two men came on a motorbike.
He said he couldn't see who fired the shot. He said Rajinish was involved in some "minor incident" earlier in the day.
