Kochi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), in charge of the probe into the sexual assault complaints raised by several woman employees in the Malayalam film industry, questioned film actor Siddique on Monday in connection with a rape case and released him after a three-hour interrogation.

The SIT has asked him to appear again on October 12. Siddique did not respond to any questions from the media as he left the Police Commissioner’s office in Thiruvananthapuram.

In August, the Museum Police in Thiruvananthapuram filed a rape case against Siddique after receiving a complaint from a female actor. The youngster filed her complaint against the senior actor following the release of the Hema Committee report. She alleged that Siddique raped her at the Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram, on January 28, 2016, after the preview of a film.

On September 24, the Kerala High Court denied Siddique's application for anticipatory bail, emphasising that the seriousness of the allegations necessitated custodial interrogation for a thorough investigation.

Siddique faces charges under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In his plea, he claimed that the complainant has subjected him to a "prolonged campaign of harassment and false accusations since 2019." However, on September 30, the Supreme Court granted him interim protection from arrest.