Dileep’s lawyer to appear for Siddique, Top lawyers for intense battle in SC 

NEW DELHI: The stage is set in for an intense battle in the Supreme Court when the anticipatory bail plea of actor Siddique is considered in the sexual misconduct case. Senior and top ranked lawyers are appearing for Siddique, the complainant and the government. The lawyers are those who have appeared for sensational cases that have created an uproar in the country.

Siddique's lawyer is senior Supreme Court lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan's son Aryan Khan and released him on bail when arrested in a drug case. Rohatgi also appeared in the Supreme Court for actor Dileep, accused in the actor assault case.

Former Solicitor General Ranjith Kumar is appearing for the state government. When Dileep demanded not to re-examine witnesses including actress Manju Warrier in the actress assault case, advocate Ranjith Kumar appeared for the state government, opposed it and won a favorable verdict. The lawyers who clashed in that case is coming face to face in Siddique case.

Senior advocate Vrinda Grover, who is fighting for women's rights will appear for the survivor. She fought a legal battle in the Supreme Court to secure justice for Bilkis Banu, who was gang-raped during the Gujarat riots and saw her daughter murdered.

Will it be considered soon?
It is crucial whether Siddique's lawyer will demand to consider urgently the anticipatory bail plea. This week, the sitting in Supreme Court is only tomorrow. If it has to be considered tomorrow, it should be brought to the attention of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud today. It will be listed for tomorrow only if the Chief Justice is convinced that the bail plea is urgent. Otherwise, new cases will be listed only next Monday or Friday.

Siddique says innocent in plea
Siddique who has approached the Supreme Court seeking anticipatory bail, has questioned the observations of the Kerala High Court. The court had observed that when examined the allegations against the actor, prima facie it shows that he has committed the crime. Siddique has questioned these observations in the plea. His plea said that he is innocent and has no criminal background. He also pointed that an arrest or custodial interrogation are not required for collection of evidence. The plea was filed through Ranjeeta Rohatgi, daughter of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi.