Senior Malayalam Actor Faces Rape Charges Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations in AMMA

The Museum police in Thiruvananthapuram have filed an FIR against senior Malayalam actor Siddique following rape allegations by a young actress. The development comes after actor Mohanlal and the AMMA executive committee resigned amid the Justice Hema Committee report's revelations of sexual harassment in the industry.

The Museum police in Thiruvananthapuram have registered an FIR against senior Malayalam actor Siddique on rape charges following a complaint by a young actress. Siddique had previously resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) due to the actress's allegations. He has claimed that the allegations are part of a conspiracy against him.

On Monday, actor Mohanlal stepped down as the president of AMMA following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report and subsequent sexual harassment allegations against some executive committee members. Mohanlal's resignation was accompanied by the resignation of all executive members.

The Hema Committee report has spurred calls for those facing sexual harassment allegations to resign from their roles within AMMA. Members assert that such individuals should not delay their resignations as their presence is not in the association's best interests.

Following the report's release, more female actors have come forward with their complaints and allegations of discrimination and harassment within the Malayalam film industry. In response, the government has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the issues women face in the industry. The Kerala Police announced that the SIT held a meeting at police headquarters on Tuesday.

'The SIT has been strengthened by including additional female officers. All related cases registered at local police stations will be handed over to the SIT for further investigation,' stated a Kerala Police release. On August 26, Malayalam film actor Minu Muneer accused some of her co-stars of sexual harassment. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)