Siddique seeks anticipatory bail in Kerala High Court amidst sexual assault allegations
In the rape accusation that has been brought against him, Malayalam actor Siddique addressed the Kerala High Court on Monday to get anticipatory relief. The actor filed a lawsuit in the midst of the ongoing Me-Too controversy, which has rocked the Malayalam cinema business. Following a complaint from a female actor, the Thiruvananthapuram police filed a First Information Report (FIR) and Siddique was named in the case.
Following serious allegations of sexual abuse made by several female actors against well-known Malayalam film figures, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh, Siddique resigned from his position as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) earlier this week, along with the entire 17-member executive committee.
On her Facebook page, an actor made accusations against Siddique of rape public. She also told the media, “I was a young entrant in the industry at the time. He invited me into a hotel on the pretext of discussing a film project. Such a movie did not exist. It was a trap. He sexually abused and raped me. He also physically assaulted me. I had to give up my dreams and my time, and I went through a lot of mental traumas”
Aside from Siddique, sexual assault allegations were booked against actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, and director Ranjith.
Allegations of sexual assault against prominent figures in the Malayalam cinema business surfaced subsequent to the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which revealed startling details of crimes against women within the industry. The entire business was rocked by the report, which contained startling tales of harassment, exploitation, and mistreatment of female professionals.
Released on August 19, the investigation revealed that approximately ten to fifteen men, who hold positions of authority as producers, directors, and actors, govern and exercise influence over the Malayalam cinema industry. The identities of the accused and witnesses were redacted. Mohanlal stepped down as AMMA president after the report was released.
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
