Kerala: Malayalam film star Edavela Babu arrested in sexual abuse case; Siddique still on the run

Malayalam film personalities seem to have been caught in a cycle of controversy, with actor Edavela Babu becoming the latest to be arrested in connection with a rape case. The police took him for a medical examination, which he underwent. He was arrested on September 25 in Kochi by the Special Investigation Team. Since he has already secured interim bail, he will be released on a station bail, furnished by two persons.

A case was registered against Babu under IPC Section 376. He was questioned in Kochi by the Special Investigation Team. The Kochi-based actress filed a complaint against seven men, including four prominent stars, alleging that they had sexually abused her at different locations. She stated that Babu and Maniyan Pillai Raju, a well-known Malayalam actor, used obscene language on her.

A case was registered against Edavela Babu at the Town North police station in Ernakulam based on the actress’s allegation that he had asked her to meet him at his apartment. He had allegedly promised her membership of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Actors). She alleged that Babu made sexual suggestions to her and kissed her neck while she was filling the application form for AMMA membership.

Babu has been acting in Malayalam films for over four decades. He worked as the general secretary of AMMA for a few years.

Meanwhile, Siddique, a Malayalam superstar and former general secretary of AMMA, is still on the run in connection with a sexual abuse case. The Kerala High Court reportedly ruled on September 24 that there is a sham case against him, which has led to the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea. The court ruled that the allegations against him are serious and therefore he does not deserve anticipatory bail. The court also slammed the actor, in a sharp tone, for leveling allegations against the complainant and said that there is no reason to suspect her character. You cannot judge the character of a woman just because she has been sexually abused.

The Kerala High Court further observed that levelling allegations against the victim appears to be a tactic to silence her. The court did not accept Siddique’s argument that it was inappropriate to level allegations after eight years. However, the prosecution argued that there is evidence and witnesses to prove that the accused and the victim met at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram on the said date.