SC grants anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Siddique
The Supreme Court grants anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Siddique in a rape case, subject to conditions, amid controversy over delayed FIR and ongoing investigation.
Acclaimed figure in the film realm, Veerendra Babu, is a multifaceted personality, popular for his contributions to ‘Swayam Krishi’. He now finds himself embroiled in a deeply distressing legal entanglement. The entertainment industry is in question because of the accusations of rape and death threats.
Prior to this, several other women had come out with their bitter experiences of harassment from the actor.
Veerendra Babu, recognized not only for his directorial prowess but also for his acting and producing talents, is currently in custody due to allegations involving the rape of a woman along with subsequent threats against her life.
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The sequence of events unfolded on July 30, when Babu reportedly lured the victim into the city. He spirited her away in a car, and then menaced her at gunpoint. Shockingly, he also stripped her of her gold possessions and abandoned her unceremoniously on the roadside. The victim courageously stepped forward to file a formal complaint with the police, prompting an active investigation into the matter. During this probe, law enforcement authorities recovered a pen drive, mobile phones, and a laptop from the accused producer.
A disheartening twist followed. It came to light that Babu had documented the assault and weaponized for blackmail purposes. He coerced the survivor into complying with extortion demands. They totaled an astronomical Rs 15 lakh, under the chilling threat of the video’s release on social media.
The victim’s plaintive account delves into the nightmarish extent of her ordeal. Apart from the coercive blackmail, she further reveals that he compelled her to sell her own attire to meet the extortionist demands imposed by Babu.
Prompt action ensued in the wake of the complaint, with the Kodigehalli police station initiating a First Information Report (FIR) against Veerendra Babu and his accomplices. The ongoing investigation is geared towards unearthing the complete scope of the alleged criminal activities and ensuring justice is meted out to the victim.
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